Technology-facilitated abuse prevalence and associations among a nationally representative sample of young men

Abstract

PURPOSE We undertook a study to determine the prevalence and associations of technology-facilitated abuse (TFA)—insults, harassment, coercion, or threats carried out using digital tools such as smartphones and computers—among a US nationally representative sample of young men. METHODS Analyses were based on 1,079 men aged 18 to 35 years who completed questionnaires during August and September of 2014 and reported ever having been in a romantic relationship. We used validated measures to assess demographics, health service use, mental health and substance use, and TFA delivered to and received from partners in the past year. We calculated survey-weighted descriptive statistics and conducted multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 4.1% of men reported delivering TFA only, 8.0% receiving TFA only, and 25.6% both delivering and receiving TFA. Men were more likely to report only delivering TFA if they identified as Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.72; 95% CI, 1.13 to 6.57), used marijuana (AOR=1.31; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.68), and used prescription opioids for nonmedical reasons (AOR 2.86; 95% CI, 1.48 to 5.54). Men were more likely to report only receiving TFA if they identified as Hispanic (AOR=2.55; 95% CI, 1.01 to 6.43) and used prescription opioids for nonmedical reasons (AOR=2.43; 95% CI, 1.34 to 4.39), whereas a primary care connection appeared protective (AOR=0.43; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.86). Men were more likely to report both delivering and receiving TFA if they identified as nonHispanic Black (AOR=2.83; 95% CI, 1.44 to 5.58), owned a smartphone (AOR=1.80; 95% CI, 1.05 to 3.09), had ever had mental health care visits (AOR=1.86; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.98), misused alcohol (AOR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.17), and used prescription opioids for nonmedical reasons (AOR=1.79; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.08). CONCLUSIONS We found that TFA was prevalent among young men, with 1 in 25 reporting delivery only, 1 in 12 reporting receipt only, and 1 in 4 reporting both. Primary care physicians can consider assessing TFA among male patients and developing interventions to mitigate this behavior.