New study finds link between sexism and denial of male victimhood in relationships – PsyPost

 

Report on Perceptions of Male Intimate Partner Violence and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent study published in Psychology of Men & Masculinities investigates the underlying attitudes that predict the acceptance of myths minimizing intimate partner violence (IPV) against male victims. The research identifies sexist beliefs about men as the primary predictor. These findings have significant implications for the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The prevalence of such myths presents a substantial barrier to recognizing male victimization, hinders access to justice and support services, and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes that undermine gender equality for all.

Key Findings of the Study

Methodology and Development of the IPVMM Scale

To quantify misconceptions about male victims, researchers developed and validated a new instrument: the Intimate Partner Violence Myths Toward Male Victims (IPVMM) Scale. The study involved a sample of 514 U.S. residents (247 men, 266 women) recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk.

Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including:

• The new 18-item IPVMM Scale, measuring beliefs such as “Men are rarely ever victims of domestic violence.”
• The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, assessing hostile and benevolent sexism toward both women and men.
• Measures of support for traditional gender hierarchies.
• Self-reported histories of IPV perpetration and victimization.

Primary Predictors of Myth Acceptance

The statistical analysis revealed that specific attitudes were strong predictors of higher scores on the IPVMM Scale, indicating a greater belief in myths that dismiss male victims. These predictors directly challenge the foundational principles of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by highlighting the damaging impact of rigid gender norms.

The strongest predictors were:

1. Sexism Toward Men: Both hostile sexism (e.g., men are inherently violent) and benevolent sexism (e.g., men must be strong protectors) were the most significant predictors of myth acceptance.
2. Support for Traditional Gender Roles: Individuals who endorsed systems that justify traditional gender inequality were more likely to believe myths about male victims.
3. History of IPV Perpetration: Participants who reported perpetrating partner violence were more likely to endorse these myths, potentially as a rationalization for their behavior.

Conversely, having been a victim of IPV did not significantly predict belief in these myths.

Prevalence of Misconceptions

The study found that myths about male IPV victims are relatively widespread. On average, participants scored above the midpoint on the IPVMM scale, suggesting a general tendency to endorse these misconceptions. Notably, these scores were significantly higher than those on comparable scales measuring myths about female victims, pointing to a persistent bias in how violence is perceived based on the victim’s gender. The research found no significant difference in myth endorsement between male and female participants.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The findings underscore that rigid gender stereotypes are a root cause of violence and a barrier to its resolution. The acceptance of myths about male victims is fueled by prescriptive beliefs about masculinity, such as the expectation that men should be strong and in control. Achieving SDG 5 requires dismantling these harmful stereotypes for all genders, as they not only harm women but also prevent men from being recognized as victims and seeking help.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The prevalence of these myths directly undermines SDG 16, which aims to end all forms of violence and ensure access to justice for all. When male victims are met with skepticism and disbelief—attitudes codified in the IPVMM scale—they are effectively denied access to justice and support from institutions like law enforcement and the legal system. The link between perpetrating violence and believing these myths further illustrates how such attitudes can erode justice by allowing perpetrators to minimize their actions.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Intimate partner violence has severe consequences for physical and mental health. The myths surrounding male victimization create a significant barrier to achieving SDG 3. By preventing men from recognizing their experiences as abuse or fearing ridicule if they disclose it, these societal misconceptions inhibit them from seeking necessary medical and psychological support. This contributes to untreated trauma and perpetuates cycles of violence, compromising community health and well-being.

Study Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research

Acknowledged Limitations

• The sample was recruited online and was predominantly White, limiting generalizability to the broader population.
• The cross-sectional design does not allow for an analysis of how these attitudes develop or change over time.
• Responses may have been influenced by social desirability bias.

Recommendations for Advancing SDG-Aligned Research

To better inform policies that advance the SDGs, future research should focus on the following areas:

• Enhance Inclusivity: Validate the IPVMM scale across more diverse demographic, cultural, and national populations to ensure data reflects the “leave no one behind” principle.
• Institutional Analysis: Assess the prevalence of these myths among professionals in key institutions (e.g., healthcare, law enforcement, social services) to develop targeted training and reforms that align with SDG 16.
• Diverse Gender Identities: Broaden the research to include experiences within same-sex relationships and among transgender and nonbinary individuals to develop a more comprehensive understanding of gender-based violence, contributing to SDG 5.

Source Publication

The study, “Intimate Partner Violence Myths Toward Male Victims: Exploring Gender, Sexism, and Participant Perpetration and Victimization,” was authored by Brenda Russell, Jennifer M. Cox, and Haylie Stewart.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article directly addresses gender equality by focusing on intimate partner violence (IPV) against men, a topic often overlooked in discussions dominated by violence against women. It explores how “sexist beliefs about men” and “traditional gender roles” contribute to the dismissal of male victims. This challenges the one-sided view of gender-based violence and pushes for a more comprehensive understanding of gender equality that protects all individuals, regardless of gender.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant as the article discusses a specific form of violence—intimate partner violence. The core issue is the societal failure to recognize and address this violence, which undermines peace and security in the private sphere. Furthermore, the skepticism and disbelief male victims face, as mentioned in the article, point to weaknesses in institutional responses (justice, law enforcement, social support), suggesting a lack of “equal access to justice for all.”

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article connects to SDG 3 by highlighting a significant barrier to health and well-being. It states that myths about male victimization “make it harder for them to seek help.” This reluctance to seek support has direct negative consequences for the mental and physical health of male victims, running counter to the goal of promoting mental health and well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

  Although the target explicitly mentions women and girls, the principle of ending gender-based discrimination is central. The article discusses discrimination against men through “hostile and seemingly positive, yet patronizing attitudes” and myths that “minimize or dismiss male victims.” This demonstrates a form of gender-based discrimination that prevents male victims from being recognized and supported.

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres…

  The article’s focus on intimate partner violence directly relates to this target’s aim of eliminating violence in the private sphere. By showing that “men can also be victims,” the article argues for a broader application of this target to include all victims of gender-based violence, thereby contributing to the overall goal of eliminating such violence.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

  Intimate partner violence is a primary form of violence that this target aims to reduce. The study’s development of the “Intimate Partner Violence Myths Toward Male Victims (IPVMM) Scale” is a step toward understanding and ultimately reducing this specific manifestation of violence.

• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

  The article implies a failure in ensuring equal access to justice. When male victims are “met with skepticism, ridicule, or disbelief,” it suggests they do not receive the same access to legal protection or support systems as female victims. The call for future research on how “police officers, healthcare workers, and domestic violence counselors” respond reinforces this concern about institutional bias.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

  The article directly relates to the promotion of mental health and well-being. It explicitly states that prevalent myths “can prevent men from recognizing their experiences as abuse and make it harder for them to seek help.” This barrier to seeking help directly undermines the mental well-being of victims, which is a key component of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

• Prevalence of discriminatory attitudes and gender stereotypes: The article introduces the “Intimate Partner Violence Myths Toward Male Victims (IPVMM) Scale” as a tool to measure “beliefs that minimize or dismiss male victims.” A reduction in the average scores on this scale over time would serve as a direct indicator of progress in dismantling harmful gender stereotypes. The article notes that on average, participants scored “above the midpoint,” suggesting these beliefs are widespread.
• Prevalence of intimate partner violence, disaggregated by sex: The study collected “self-reported experiences with either victimization or perpetration of partner violence.” This data, when collected systematically, can serve as an indicator to track the prevalence of IPV against both men and women, measuring progress towards Target 5.2.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

• Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence: The article’s data on “self-reported experiences with… victimization” directly contributes to this indicator (Indicator 16.1.3). The study highlights that official statistics may be biased, making self-reported survey data, like that collected in this study, crucial for an accurate measure.
• Proportion of victims of violence who reported their victimization to competent authorities: While not directly measured, this is strongly implied. The article’s finding that male victims are met with “skepticism, ridicule, or disbelief” suggests that the rate of reporting among men is low. Tracking the reporting rates for male victims would be a key indicator of their access to and trust in justice institutions.

Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

• Rate of help-seeking for mental health support among victims of violence: The article states that myths “make it harder for them to seek help.” An implied indicator would be the rate at which male IPV victims seek professional help (e.g., from counselors, healthcare workers). An increase in this rate would indicate improved well-being and a reduction in the stigma associated with male victimization.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified or Implied in the Article
SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.1: End all forms of discrimination. 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls (principle extended to all genders).	– Score on the “Intimate Partner Violence Myths Toward Male Victims (IPVMM) Scale” to measure discriminatory beliefs. – Measured prevalence of “sexism toward men” and “support for traditional gender hierarchies.” – Prevalence of self-reported perpetration and victimization of IPV, disaggregated by gender.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence. 16.3: Ensure equal access to justice for all.	– Prevalence of “self-reported experiences with… victimization” of IPV. – (Implied) Proportion of male victims reporting violence to authorities (e.g., police, counselors). – (Implied) Prevalence of myth endorsement among justice and healthcare professionals.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.	– (Implied) Rate of help-seeking behavior among male victims of IPV, as myths currently “make it harder for them to seek help.”

Source: psypost.org