A new piece to understanding the intimate partner violence puzzle: what role do genetics play?

Numerous factors prompt intimate partner violence (IPV). Stuart and colleagues examined whether variations in two theoretically relevant genetic variants predispose some people toward perpetrating psychological aggression, physical aggression, and violence that causes the victim serious physical injury. This commentary discusses the importance of considering how the observed genetic risk factors for IPV may be best understood within the context of their interaction with environmental risk factors. By focusing on gene-environment interactions, future work may help identify not only who is at risk for IPV perpetration but also who may be buffered from it.