Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Megan L. Haselschwerdt

Committee Members

Elizabeth I. Johnson, Deadric T. Williams, Derrick R. Brooms

Abstract

Black men’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, particularly coercive control and coercive violence, are largely absent from the literature. Guided by intersectionality and hegemonic masculinity, this study examined Black men’s experiences of non-physical IPV victimization, focusing on the ways patriarchal systems and White supremacy influenced the type of coercive controlling tactics utilized against the participants. Intersectional multilevel analysis guided the examination of how interlocking oppressive systems at multiple levels impacted the Black men’s experiences of non-physical IPV victimization. Findings from this study demonstrate the complexity of Black men’s IPV victimization, including physical violence and emotional and psychological abuse rooted in coercive control. Participants’ partners utilized several distinct yet interconnected coercive controlling tactics, including surveillance & monitoring, retaliatory violence, coercive violence, weaponized victimhood, weaponized masculinity, and verbal & psychological abuse (not otherwise captured). The utilized coercive controlling strategies caused varying degrees of distress but were very effective at changing the participant's behaviors, as well as how the men themselves as Black men, their relationship role, and their future relationships. This study has implications for creating policies and interventions that meet the needs of Black men, with particular attention to the roles of interpersonal and larger systems of power and oppression.

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