Gender and psychological abuse: A meta-analytic review

Research has indicated that there is gender symmetry in perpetration of physical abuse within intimate relationships. However, studies have failed to account for the psychological facets of abuse that contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV). Researchers have begun to explore the relationship between the assessment tools to measure psychological abuse, along with sex differences in intimate partner psychological abuse. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess (a) psychological abuse perpetration by males and females as measured by the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA) and (b) a comparison of the Conflict Tactics Scale 2 (CTS2) and MMEA in predicting psychological abuse perpetration. The body of research in heterosexual partners who experience psychological abuse through IPV was reviewed for the current meta-analysis. No meta-analysis comparing the CTS2 and the MMEA was conducted as proposed, given the limited amount of research available. Significance of the average effect sizes were calculated using a random effects model. Nine hypothesis tests (k = 13) were included in Model 1 and four hypothesis tests (k = 4) were included in Model 2 to investigate sex differences in psychological IPV abuse as measured by the MMEA. Males compared indirectly to females engaged in more psychological abuse, as indicated by higher scores on the MMEA. Model 2 explored direct comparisons of male and female groups and found males engaged in higher levels of psychological abuse. Gender asymmetry and perpetration of psychological abuse was observed in both models.