# Developing Comprehensive Screening and Treatment for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

> **NIH VA IK2** · VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern with significant negative
consequences for those who experience it and wide-ranging impact on children, families, and the healthcare
system. However, IPV is an especially prevalent health issue for Veterans, who are at increased risk of both
experiencing and perpetrating IPV. More than one out of three women Veterans experience IPV and up to 60%
of Veteran men report IPV perpetration. Although VHA currently recommends routine screening of IPV
experiences among women Veterans, no guidelines or instruments currently exist for IPV perpetration
screening. Moreover, effective intervention development for IPV perpetration is in its infancy with no evidence-
based individual treatment available for IPV perpetration. In order to improve Veterans' health and reduce rates
of IPV, effective and acceptable screening and treatment for IPV perpetration must exist.
Significance/Impact: IPV perpetration detection, followed by behavioral intervention, are urgently needed for
IPV cessation and improved health of Veterans with these common presenting problems. Yet there has been
little progress to develop tools and procedures for IPV perpetration, and no guidelines on best practices for IPV
perpetration screening or treatment exist. The findings of the proposed research will improve the health and
functioning of Veterans and their families, enhance much needed healthcare response for this population, and
inform VHA national efforts for IPV response among Veterans.
Innovation: This project is innovative in its focus on IPV perpetration. With the majority of IPV research
focusing on IPV victimization, there is currently a significant gap in knowledge related to IPV perpetration,
including limited tools and procedures with which to address perpetration of IPV among Veterans. Enhancing
services for those who experience IPV is essential, but insufficient. In order to reduce and prevent IPV, a
comprehensive healthcare response necessitates implementing validated screening to detect IPV perpetration
among Veterans and developing intervention protocols to address IPV perpetration. Completion of the CDA
research aims will provide VHA with the data and tools necessary to inform IPV efforts, practices, and policy.
Aims: The primary objective of this research is to decrease IPV among Veterans. To do so, we must have
effective and acceptable tools and protocols. Aim 1: Evaluate the psychometric properties and cut-scores of a
previously developed IPV screening tool. Aim 2: Identify an effective IPV perpetration intervention process and
essential treatment components and develop an intervention manual. Aim 3: Conduct a pilot study of the IPV
perpetration manualized intervention in a sample of Veterans.
Methodology: For Aim 1, we will calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and
positive and negative likelihood ratios of the screening instrument in comparison to the ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9949045
- **Project number:** 1IK2HX002897-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Galina Alexandra Portnoy
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9949045

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9949045, Developing Comprehensive Screening and Treatment for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration (1IK2HX002897-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9949045. Licensed CC0.

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