NSF-funded study examines impact of intimate partner violence on sexual minority college students
Researchers at East Carolina University and the University of New Hampshire will undertake the largest study ever conducted on intimate partner violence among lesbian, gay, bisexual and other sexual minority college students thanks to a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
Heather Littleton (Contributed photo)
Dr. Heather Littleton, ECU professor of psychology, and Dr. Katie Edwards, associate professor of psychology and women’s studies at the University of New Hampshire, will lead the study. The analysis will include more than 20,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff at 15 colleges and universities across the country.
“The application process for these grants is highly competitive, which speaks to the expertise and reputation of Dr. Littleton and Dr. Ewards,” said Dr. Erik Everhart, chair of ECU’s Department of Psychology. “The project falls within an important and understudied area that pertains to partner violence among lesbian, gay, bisexual and other sexual minority college students.”
Through their investigation, Littleton and Edwards will evaluate a new theoretical model that examines the ways in which institutional and individual stigma increases risk for intimate partner violence experiences among sexual minority students.
According to Littleton, schools are recognizing intimate partner violence among sexual minorities as an issue, but campus climate surveys cost money and require time and expertise that not all institutions of higher education are able to provide.
“This study is important for several reasons,” Littleton said. “First, it will allow us to evaluate a model of intimate partner violence among sexual minorities that incorporates experiences of stigma as a sexual minority as an important driver of intimate partner violence risk in this population.
“Further, it may serve to increase understanding of the factors that contribute to other poor outcomes in this population, including problem drinking, sexual violence and suicidal tendencies.”
Once the study is completed, each participating school will receive comprehensive school-specific findings, including what they are doing well, and recommendations on ways to improve or better support sexual minority students on campus.
-by Lacey L. Gray, University Communications