The Aggressive Gender Backlash in Intimate Partner Relationships: A Theoretical Framework and Initial Measurement
Aristides A. Vara-Horna, Noelia Rodríguez-Espartal

TL;DR
This paper introduces a new tool to measure aggressive gender backlash in relationships, revealing it as a harmful, non-violent form of gender-based violence that impacts women's empowerment and well-being.
Contribution
The paper introduces a validated multidimensional scale for measuring aggressive gender backlash, redefining gender backlash as an interpersonal process.
Findings
Aggressive gender backlash is more prevalent than intimate partner violence against women and often precedes it.
AGB includes non-violent behaviors like emotional sabotage and manipulation that resist female empowerment.
AGB is linked to lower empowerment, increased subordination, emotional distress, and reduced work productivity.
Abstract
This study introduces and validates a novel instrument to measure aggressive gender backlash (AGB), a distinct and underexplored dimension of gender backlash (GB) within intimate partner relationships. Based on the General Aggression Model, a multidimensional scale was developed and tested using data from 513 Peruvian female microentrepreneurs. Results demonstrate solid evidence of reliability, discriminant validity, and predictive validity across five dimensions: hostility, the withdrawal of support, sabotage/coercion, gender stereotyping, and masculine victimization. The findings reveal that AGB is more prevalent than intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and often precedes it. AGB encompasses covert, non-violent behaviors that aim to resist female empowerment, such as emotional sabotage, manipulation, and disqualification, often normalized within relationships. This…
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Taxonomy
TopicsIntimate Partner and Family Violence · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Sex work and related issues
