Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background While China’s 2016 Anti-Domestic Violence Law marked a significant legislative milestone, social norms continue to shape how intimate partner violence (IPV) is recognized and justified. Research on IPV attitudes in China remains limited, particularly regarding non-physical forms of abuse like coercive control. Methods This exploratory study investigates IPV perceptions and justifications among 812 university students in China. Data was collected via an online survey measuring exposure to parental violence, dating victimization, and the recognition and justification of eight distinct abusive behaviors. Results Findings reveal high recognition of physical and sexual violence, but significant under-acknowledgment of coercive control behaviors such as economic abuse and verbal aggression. Male students were more likely than females to identify economic control as abuse but demonstrated significantly higher tolerance for justifying physical, verbal, and sexual aggression. Consistent with social learning theory, childhood exposure to parental violence and personal dating victimization were potent predictors of IPV justification. Conclusion These results highlight a normalization of psychological and verbal abuse within Chinese dating culture. The study underscores the necessity for public health interventions that move beyond condemning overt violence to address early family socialization and the subtle power dynamics—such as economic and emotional control—that perpetuate cycles of domestic harm.</p>