# Understanding Pathways between Intimate Partner Violence and HIV risk for Men

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $749,919

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
There is increasing evidence that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience dual
epidemics of HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV), yet understanding of the synergies between these two
epidemics is underdeveloped. Estimated prevalence for receipt of IPV among GBMSM range from 12% to 78%.
Emergent evidences demonstrates associations between the experience of IPV among GBMSM and participation
in risk behaviors that heighten the risk of HIV (i.e. substance use). Beyond the indirect behavioral associations
between IPV and HIV, less is known about direct pathways through which IPV may increase HIV acquisition
risk among GBGBMSM. According to Schafer’s theoretical model, IPV not only contributes to behavioral risk,
but also to immunologic change that impacts HIV risk – but all of this evidence comes from studies of
heterosexual women. With the identification of HIV-specific immunologic dysfunction associated with IPV, we
are able to further investigate upstream factors, including minority stressors that may contribute to such
changes, as well as protective measures such as coping and resiliency processes. We hypothesize that experiences
of IPV (including victimization, perpetration, and bi-directional IPV), in the context of minority stress, increases
both indirect behavioral (sexual behavior, substance use), and direct biological (STI) and immunologic risks for
HIV infection among GBMSM. To fill the critical gap in knowledge, we propose an innovative 24-month cohort
study of partnered HIV-negative GBMSM in SE Michigan, to identify the pathways and points of intervention
between IPV and HIV risk for GBMSM. Prior research is limited by cross-sectional designs, inconsistent
measures of violence, and inattention to important psychosocial and structural factors that co-occur with both
IPV and HIV, and may moderate or mediate relationships. We address these limitations by employing a rigorous
cohort design, measures of IPV that are specific for GBMSM, considering the role of IPV victimization,
perpetration and bi-directional IPV, and consider the multiple minority stressors and stress response behaviors
that may shape both IPV and HIV risk behaviors, and measure indicators of HIV-specific immunologic
dysfunction, biological risk (STI) and behavioral risk. The proposed research activities include a prospective 24-
month cohort of 360 HIV-negative partnered GBMSM (>18 years) recruited in SE Michigan. The overall aim of
the proposed activities is to provide new knowledge of how victimization or perpetration of IPV shapes
engagement in HIV prevention and risk behaviors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10320546
- **Project number:** 1R01NR020310-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Erin M Kahle
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $749,919
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10320546

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10320546, Understanding Pathways between Intimate Partner Violence and HIV risk for Men (1R01NR020310-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10320546. Licensed CC0.

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