“If You Have Nothing to Hide it Shouldn’t be a Problem”: The Social Construction of Cyber Abuse and Normalized Cyber Behaviors in Intimate Relationships

Leah C. Butler, Erica R. Fissel, Amanda Graham, Bonnie S. Fisher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Whereas “traditional” forms of intimate partner violence have been socially constructed as abusive, it is unclear whether intimate partner cyber abuse (IPCA) is socially constructed as abusive. We couple the social constructionist framework with an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data collected via a 2019 TurkPrime survey of U.S. adults in intimate relationships (N = 1,486). Approximately 38% of respondents did not identify any IPCA behaviors as abusive. Open-ended responses suggest some view these behaviors as acceptable in certain contexts. However, many believed certain behaviors could constitute abuse. The implications of our findings for research and prevention efforts are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
JournalVictims and Offenders
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2024
Externally publishedYes

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Health(social science)
  • Applied Psychology
  • Law

Keywords

  • Intimate partner cyber abuse
  • cyber victimization
  • intimate partner violence
  • social construction

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