Intimate partner violence amongst Brazilian lesbian women: mental health indicators, social support and minority stress

Abstract

Background: The intimate partner violence (IPV) among lesbian women is an invisible problem in Brazil due to discrimination and social stigma. Most national studies focus on understanding violence in relationships between women and men, leaving a gap in research addressing this type of violence and its consequences for lesbian women. This study aims to identify the main types of IPV experienced by Brazilian lesbian women, compare mental health indicators, perceptions of social support, and minority stress levels between lesbian women with and without a history of IPV, and examine predictors of victimization in intimate relationships. Methods: Descriptive analyses, t-tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 550 lesbian women participated, with a mean age of 25.31 years old (SD = 5.83). Results: Women with a history of IPV have worse mental health outcomes and lower perceptions of social support networks. In addition, concealment of sexuality, experiences of stigma, age, and social support were identified as predictors of IPV. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight how IPV can further jeopardize the mental health of Brazilian lesbian women, exacerbating symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. Discriminatory and stigmatizing acts amplify the effects of IPV, as violence is perpetrated on both social and individual levels.