Dispositional Vulnerabilities and Protective Factors of Technology-Facilitated Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Digital technologies have enabled technology-facilitated intimate partner violence (TF-IPV), a distinct form of partner abuse. Identifying dispositional vulnerabilities (e.g., dark personality traits, attachment anxiety, and jealousy) and protective factors (e.g., emotion regulation, social support, and agreeableness) is essential for understanding TF-IPV mechanisms and developing effective interventions. This systematic review with meta-analysis examined dispositional vulnerabilities and protective factors associated with TF-IPV perpetration and victimization; analyzed theoretical, contextual, and methodological trends; and identified gaps. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines, searches of Scopus and Web of Science (December 2024-January 2025) identified empirical studies among adults (≥18 years). Forty-four studies were included (299 effect sizes, N = 178,298); meta-analysis employed robust variance estimation (RVE) and a three-level multilevel model (MLM) as a robustness check. Data were synthesized using the Theory-Context-Methodology framework and meta-analytic pooling. RVE and MLM estimates converged. Overall, vulnerabilities and protective factors showed a small but significant association with TF-IPV (r = .107, 95% CI [.065, .148]). Subgroup analyses revealed small-to-moderate vulnerability associations (perpetration: r = .187, k = 148; victimization: r = .132, k = 73) and significant protective effects for perpetration (r = -.094, k = 44) and victimization (r = -.057, k = 34). Substantial heterogeneity and small-study effects were observed. Cross-sectional designs and Western contexts predominated; theoretical frameworks showed limited technological integration and focused primarily on perpetration. This review highlights the need for integrative models incorporating dispositional, technological, and contextual elements alongside victimization-specific protective mechanisms, combined with robust legal frameworks and support systems, to inform comprehensive TF-IPV prevention and intervention strategies.