https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20942818 Journal of Family Issues 2020, Vol. 41(12) 2297–2327 © The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/0192513X20942818 journals.sagepub.com/home/jfi Article A Comparative Study of Intimate Partner Violence in Post-Soviet Countries: Evidence from National Surveys Elena Chernyak 1 Abstract Investigating intimate partner violence (IPV) in different societies and analyzing micro- and macro-level factors that contribute to IPV is important for social scientists to understand the nature of IPV. The present study provides a cross-country examination of the prevalence of physical IPV and empirical correlates of physical IPV in five post-Soviet countries. This research is based on the data generated through the Demographic and Health Surveys. The findings demonstrate that 12%–26% of women in the former Soviet Union (FSU) experienced physical IPV at some point in their lives. While partner’s controlling behavior, alcohol consumption, and witnessing IPV in the family-of-origin are found to be significantly associated with IPV in all five FSU countries, the results of regression analyses point to some interesting findings and indicate inconsistencies among the FSU countries. Using improved measures of IPV, this research illustrates the complexity of the relationships between economic and social statuses of women, their experiences, empowerment, and IPV. 1 Department of Sociology, Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY, USA Corresponding Author: Elena Chernyak, Department of Sociology, Hartwick College, P.O. Box 4022, Oneonta, NY 13820, USA. Email: chernyake@hartwick.edu 942818JFI XX X 10.1177/0192513X20942818Journal of Family IssuesChernyak research-article 2020