Think Outside: Advancing Risk and Protective Factor Research Beyond the Intimate-Partner-Violence Box

Objectives: Thinking outside the metaphorical box of extant research on any topic, including intimate partner violence (IPV), has the potential to move a field forward exponentially. Therefore, this commentary aims to stimulate thinking about IPV research specifically related to women's IPV victimization in 2 ways: first, by highlighting selected foci of existing research that may limit the field, and second, by proposing greater foci on topics and approaches less explored that hold promise to generate knowledge with strong implications to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, including: studies of protective factors, which may be modifiable with intervention; psychological IPV and an understanding of the co-occurrence of IPV types; multidisciplinary collaborative research that includes community partners; and constructs yet to be measured/explored. Conclusions: Moving toward a comprehensive approach to research that includes examination of both risk and protective factors - particularly those that are modifiable with intervention - will enable us to identify critical factors and begin developing better interventions for improving the lives of so many impacted by IPV. To accomplish the aforementioned, some of us may need to go outside of our comfort zones, and in many cases outside of our disciplines, to conduct research that has the greatest impact. As a field, we are up for the challenge given the tremendous benefits to be gained.