Patterns of intimate partner violence among married women in the military: Type, level, directionality and consequences

Different types of intimate partner violence (IPV) between female Service members and their male civilian partners were examined. IPV was assigned multiple categories: as either bi-directional (perpetrated by both spouses) or unilateral (perpetrated by one spouse), as well as either asymmetrical (unequal in severity of violence) or symmetrical (equal in severity of violence). Results indicated that enlisted females were more likely to be the victims of asymmetrical violence and of unilateral violence than their male spouses.