Coping and psychological outcomes of male victims of intimate partner violence: A systematic review
Abstract
Objectives: Although intimate partner violence (IPV) research has historically focused on female victimisation, emerging studies now examine heterosexual male victims. This qualitative systematic review synthesises evidence from five continents, including the underrepresented African context, to explore men's IPV experiences, coping strategies, psychological effects, and public health implications.
Study design: Systematic review of qualitative studies on male IPV victimisation, coping, and psychological well-being.
Methods: A systematic review of 36 qualitative studies was conducted, focusing on male IPV victimisation, coping strategies, and psychological outcomes. Inductive codes developed directly from participants' responses were used to identify experiences, coping strategies, and psychological outcomes. Related codes were then grouped into higher order concepts and mapped onto a problem focused versus emotion focused coping spectrum.
Results: Findings reveal that male victims experience physical, psychological and sexual abuse, including broken bones, humiliation, and forced sexual intimacy. Coping strategies were both adaptive (e.g., exercise, spiritual coping) and maladaptive (e.g., alcohol use, avoidance, minimization or exiting the relationship). Emotion-focused strategies were more frequently associated with negative mental health outcomes. Problem-focused coping like help seeking had mixed psychological outcomes. Moreover, help-seeking was often hindered by…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.