(PS8-74) A Latent Class Analysis of Cyber and In-person Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in Sexual Minority Young Adults

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent concern among sexual minority young adults. IPV can manifest via several in-person (e.g., physical, sexual, verbal/emotional aggression) and cyber (e.g., direct aggression, monitoring/controlling, sexual abuse/coercion) tactics (Reed et al., 2016; Wolfe et al., 2001). Sexual minority individuals can also perpetrate identity abuse, an IPV tactic that leverages someone's sexual minority identity against them to inflict harm (Woulfe & Goodman, 2021). Research has identified minority stressors (i.e., heterosexist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, identity nondisclosure/concealment), trait anger/hostility, and substance use as risk factors for IPV perpetration among sexual minority young adults (Basting et al., 2024; Birkley & Eckhardt, 2015; Kimmes et al., 2019). However, most studies consider IPV tactics in isolation even though IPV tactics often co-occur (White & Smith, 2009). Thus, research identifying associations between risk factors and patterns of cyber and in-person IPV perpetration tactics among sexual minority young adults is needed.

Sexual minority young adults (N=342, M_age=21.42, 60.23% women, 28.65% men, 16.33% nonbinary/gender expansive people) in dating relationships completed an online survey containing measures of in-person (i.e., verbal/emotional, physical, sexual, threatening, identity abuse) and cyber (i.e., i.e., direct aggression, monitoring/controlling, sexual abuse) IPV perpetration, heterosexist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, identity concealment/disclosure, trait anger/hostility, alcohol use/problems, and drug use/problems. We identified patterns of in-person and cyber IPV perpetration tactics using latent class analysis. Next, we tested whether latent classes differed by minority stressors, trait anger/hostility, and substance use/problems.

We identified three latent classes: 1) high cyber and in-person IPV, 2) psychological IPV, and 3) low cyber and in-person IPV. Individuals in the high cyber and in-person IPV class had higher levels of drug use/problems and internalized heterosexism than all other classes. Additionally, the high cyber and in-person IPV class, as well as the psychological IPV class, had higher levels of trait anger/hostility relative to the low cyber and in-person IPV class.

Results highlight the co-occurring nature of IPV perpetration tactics among some sexual minority young adults. Tailored interventions for sexual minority young adults might screen for and target internalized heterosexism, trait anger/hostility, and drug use/problems among those who perpetrate multiple IPV tactics.