- Four latent classes emerged: low-to-no conflict (26%), psychological with negotiation (36%), high psychological/low physical (26%), and multitype with coercive control (13%).
- Veterans in the multitype class with coercive control had significantly higher depression, PTSD symptoms, alcohol misuse, and suicidal ideation than other classes.
- Over half of Veterans reported propensity to use violence for partner control; findings support differentiated screening and coercive control assessment in VHA primary care.
Psychol Serv. 2026 Jul 20. doi: 10.1037/ser0001063. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs at elevated rates among Veterans, with recent meta-analyses estimating 31.8% of Veterans use IPV and 24.3% of Veterans experience IPV. While Johnson’s (2008) typology distinguishes IPV types based on control patterns, limited research has applied latent class analysis to identify IPV typologies that incorporate measures of coercive control. This study used latent class analysis to examine patterns of IPV use and experience among Veterans in primary care, focusing on coercive control dynamics and their associations to mental health outcomes. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 299 Veterans in romantic relationships receiving care at 20 community-based outpatient clinics in Western and Central New York. Measures included the Conflict Tactics Scale-Revised, Women’s Experience with Battering scale, Proximal Antecedents of Violent Episodes, and correlated mental health assessments. Latent class analysis identified four distinct IPV typologies based on use and experience patterns: low-to-no conflict (26%), psychological IPV with negotiation (36%), high psychological/low physical without control (26%), and multitype IPV with control (13%). Veterans in the multitype class with coercive control showed significantly higher rates of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, alcohol misuse, and suicidal ideation compared to other classes. Over half (51%) of Veterans in this sample reported propensity for using violence to control their partner. Results demonstrate heterogeneous IPV patterns among Veterans, with coercive control dynamics associated with severe mental health comorbidity. Findings support the need for differentiated screening and intervention approaches in Veterans Health Administration settings, with particular attention to coercive control assessment for comprehensive IPV evaluation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
PMID:42474998 | DOI:10.1037/ser0001063
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