What are the most common warning signs of intimate partner violence?
Executive summary
Warning signs most commonly flagged by recent research and public-health guidance include patterns of control, entitlement/arrogance, emotional instability, escalating jealousy or monitoring, and financial or social isolation; a 2023–25 study distilled 200 candidate indicators down to 16 predictive non‑abusive warning signs linked to later violence [1] and public resources list control, stalking, and financial abuse among core signs [2] [3]. IPV carries broad health consequences including PTSD, depression, substance use, and suicidality, and clinicians and public health bodies urge screening and early intervention [4] [5].
1. Early, non‑violent “red flags” often predict later harm
Researchers led by Nicolyn Charlot reviewed hundreds of thoughts, feelings and behaviors and found that many warning signs predicting violence are not themselves violent but show entitlement, arrogance, control and emotional immaturity — 16 such indicators predicted partner violence within six months in a sample of 355 people [1] [6]. Western University’s coverage of the study emphasizes that these non‑abusive signals appear earlier in relationships when people are still able to leave before becoming heavily invested [7].
2. Control and monitoring: the slow build to coercion
Public health and municipal guidance identify controlling behaviors — monitoring communications, isolating someone from friends/family, and excessive jealousy — as central warning signs that precede or accompany IPV [2] [3]. Analysts and clinicians describe these tactics as ways abusers build power and make leaving harder; several sources frame economic control and technological surveillance as modern extensions of that control [8] [9].
3. Psychological traits that correlate with later violence
The academic study and media coverage highlight personality and attitudinal features — a sense of entitlement, arrogance, and emotional immaturity — as statistically predictive of later abusive acts [1] [6]. That finding reframes prevention: spotting these tendencies early can prompt caution or intervention even before abuse manifests physically [7].
4. Types of abuse and overlapping signals
IPV is not only physical; definitions and clinical summaries list physical, sexual, psychological aggression, stalking, and coercive control as part of the phenomenon [10] [5]. Public resources stress that many victims experience combinations (e.g., psychological abuse plus financial control), and that some signs (e.g., self‑harm or suicidal ideation) may appear in victims as a downstream consequence [8] [4].
5. Prevalence and why early detection matters
Multiple sources note IPV’s scale and the limits of visibility: national surveys and reviews find lifetime rates measured in large fractions of the population and persistent underreporting [5] [11]. Charlot’s team argues that early detection of warning signs is a prevention strategy because violence typically emerges after relationship investments make leaving harder [6] [7].
6. What trusted organizations recommend you do
Hotlines and government health pages advise that if you notice controlling, stalking, or isolating behaviors you should seek support — for example, calling national hotlines or engaging clinicians and community resources; the Jed Foundation points directly to crisis contacts and stresses that leaving isn’t always immediately possible or safe [4] [2]. Health guidance also recommends routine screening, particularly for women, in clinical settings [5].
7. Limits, gaps and competing perspectives in the reporting
The Charlot study focuses on predictive, non‑abusive signs in a community sample and calls for replication and work on specific forms of coercive control; researchers note the need for more data on marginalized and at‑risk populations [6] [7]. Municipal and clinical sources emphasize visible abusive acts and stalking as clear danger signs, which can differ from the study’s emphasis on earlier personality and behavioral markers [3] [5]. Available sources do not mention comprehensive predictive accuracy metrics for the 16‑item warning set beyond the initial sample [1] [6].
8. Practical takeaways for people who may be at risk or supporting someone who is
Take repeated patterns seriously: controlling behavior, social or financial isolation, persistent jealousy/monitoring, entitlement/arrogance, and signs of emotional instability are reliable warning areas cited across research and public resources [1] [2] [8]. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call emergency services or a domestic violence hotline; for non‑urgent concern, contact local advocates, clinicians, or use publicly listed resources to plan safer next steps [4] [2].
Limitations: this summary uses academic and public‑health sources in the supplied set; it does not cover studies or statistics outside those materials and notes explicitly where replication and subgroup research remain needed [6] [7].