The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Gay Men's Personal and Working Lives

Research into intimate partner violence (IPV) has focused on the experience of female victims resulting from dominant theoretical frameworks and societal biases casting females as victims and males as abusers. While emergent studies suggest that gay male victims experience a higher prevalence rate and more severe consequences from IPV than heterosexuals victims (male or female), few studies have explored the impact of IPV on gay male victims personal and working lives. We conducted a qualitative case study analysis using an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis by interviewing four gay males with experience of IPV. Following a description of each case, a cross-case analysis identified the similarities and differences between the participants' lived experiences according to four main themes: 1) formal support, 2) informal support, 3) workplace support, and 4) workplace performance. We found that the influence of minority stress may amplify the challenges that some gay male victims face when conceptualizing their abuse and seeking support in their personal and working lives. Organizations should develop targeted and inclusive policies that support victims, with LGBTQI +/- competent Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providers, and gender-neutral language when referring to IPV.