Community Reactions to Intimate Partner Violence: The Interplay Between Psychological Impact and Belief Systems

Heather Hislop-Anderson

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pervasive social and public health concern that extends beyond individual victims to affect families, bystanders, and entire communities. Despite extensive research on the experience of survivors, limited attention has been paid to how community members perceive and psychologically respond to IPV in their environment. The present mixed-methods study examined the interplay between community beliefs, emotional reactions, and secondary trauma among residents in varying communities within Minnesota. Guided by both the Rational Choice Theory (RCT) and the Culture of Violence Theory (CoVT), a 26-item survey was administered to 46 adult participants, studying how individual decision-making and cultural norms together shape community attitudes toward IPV and responses to incidents within their surroundings. The study concludes that IPV is not solely a private matter but a collective trauma, requiring community wide awareness, culturally informed prevention, and trauma-informed support. Results have implications for public policy, education, and coordinated community responses aimed at fostering empathy, accountability, and social change.

Keywords: Community, Intimate Partner Violence, Minnesota, Belief Systems, Vicarious Trauma, Mental Health, Domestic Violence

How to Cite?: Heather Hislop-Anderson, "Community Reactions to Intimate Partner Violence: The Interplay Between Psychological Impact and Belief Systems", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 722-726, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251207234607, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251207234607