Domestic Violence

A sample of 248 enlisted active duty females married to civilian spouses completed a selfreport survey that asked about their own and their spouse's violence. The survey also asked about their sex-role attitudes, marital satisfaction, alcohol use, childhood trauma, and depression. Results identified patterns of intimate partner violence and their relationship to the psychosocial risk factors. Females experiencing severe bidirectional violence were likely to be the most depressed and to have a history of child sexual abuse. Females experiencing minor bidirectional violence did not share any of the psychosocial risk factors found for severe bidirectional violence. Females perpetrating unilateral violence toward their spouses were found to be as satisfied in their marriages as nonviolent couples and less depressed than the females experiencing bidirectional violence. A Policy Capturing Investigation of Battered Women's Decisions to Stay in Violent Relationships Author: McDonough, Tracy A. Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 25, Number 2, 2010 , pp. 165-184(20) Abstract: Based on theories of social exchange and cognitive decision-making, the current research was an initial attempt to analyze battered and nonbattered women's decision-making processes using a policy capturing methodology. Participants included 28 battered and 30 nonbattered women who responded to several questionnaires and vignettes about violent relationships. Overall, both groups of women reported they would be unlikely to stay in the described relationships. Further, the cue of violence intensity was overwhelmingly the most heavily weighted variable for women in both samples, and a comparison of subjective reports and objective policies found that both groups lacked insight into which variables they were weighing when deciding to stay. Results suggest that when making the intellectual decision to stay in an abusive relationship, battered and nonbattered women respond similarly. Measurement and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Among Expectant First-Time Parents Authors: Kan, Marni L.; Feinberg, Mark E. Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 25, Number 3, 2010 , pp. 319-331(13) Abstract: Research on the implications of varying measurement strategies for estimating levels and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been limited. This study explored measurement and correlates of IPV using a community sample of 168 couples who were expecting their first child. In line with prior research, couple agreement regarding the presence of violence was low, and maximum reported estimates revealed substantial IPV perpetrated by both expectant mothers and fathers. Different types of IPV scores predicted unique variance in mental health problems and couple relationship distress among both the whole sample and the subsamples who perpetrated any violence. Discussion focuses on the methodological and substantive implications of these findings for the study of IPV during the transition to parenthood. Stages of Change and the Group Treatment of Batterers: A Randomized Clinical Trial Authors: Alexander, Pamela C.; Morris, Eugene; Tracy, Allison; Frye, Alice Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 25, Number 5, 2010 , pp. 571-587(17) Abstract: A stages-of-change motivational interviewing (SOCMI) treatment approach was compared with a standard cognitive behavioral therapy gender reeducation (CBTGR) approach in a sample of 528 English-speaking and Spanish-speaking male batterers who were randomly assigned to 49 26A stages-of-change motivational interviewing (SOCMI) treatment approach was compared with a standard cognitive behavioral therapy gender reeducation (CBTGR) approach in a sample of 528 English-speaking and Spanish-speaking male batterers who were randomly assigned to 49 26week groups in either condition. Blind ratings of therapist adherence differentiated the two conditions. Language spoken neither predicted outcome nor interacted with treatment. The SOCMI curriculum led to significant reductions in female partners' reports of physical aggression at follow-up, but not to changes in self-reported aggression. Men who were initially less ready to change benefited more from the SOCMI approach while men who were more ready to change benefited more from the CBTGR approach. Results suggest the importance of tailoring abuser intervention programs to individuals' initial readiness to change. Defining Appropriate Stages of Change for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors Authors: Burke, Jessica Griffin; Mahoney, Patricia; Gielen, Andrea; McDonnell, Karen A.; O'Campo, Patricia Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 1, 2009 , pp. 36-51(16) Abstract: Recent research suggests that the transtheoretical model of behavior change is a promising approach for interventions addressing women's experiences of intimate partner violence. This study explores the distribution of abused women across the stages of change for (a) staying safe from intimate partner violence and (b) leaving an abusive relationship. It explores the relationship between stage assignment and other indicators of a woman's stage (i.e., safety behaviors and desire for services). Quantitative surveys were conducted with 96 low-income, urban abused women recruited from six health care clinics. The findings call into question the appropriateness of using a staging algorithm that uses one “global” question about keeping safe and suggest that staging questions focused on a single action stage (e.g., leaving) are also problematic. In conclusion, additional work remains to be done to develop and validate quantitative measures of stages of change for survivors of intimate partner violence and to design, implement, and evaluated stage-based, tailored intimate partner violence interventions. Reducing Domestic Violence and Other Criminal Recidivism: Effectiveness of a Multilevel Batterers Intervention Program Authors: Coulter, Martha; VandeWeerd, Carla Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 2, 2009 , pp. 139-152(14) Abstract: This study evaluated whether the use of a multilevel system of intervention based on batterer assessment resulted in lowered risk of re-arrests for both domestic violence and other crimes. The study conducted analysis of data from 1995 to 2004, including initial arrest and program placement information and re-arrest rates for 17,999 individual batterers. The study found that recidivism rates were substantially lower for participants who completed the programs when compared to those who did not and that the re-arrest rates were substantially lower than are generally found in the literature on batterer recidivism. The study provides guidance to batterers intervention programs in approaches to designing countywide programs that are most effective in reducing recidivism in domestic violence batterers. Helping Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Comparing the Approaches of Two Health Care Settings Authors: Chang, Judy C.; Buranosky, Raquel; Dado, Diane; Cluss, Patricia; Hawker, Lynn; Rothe, Elizabeth; McNeil, Melissa; Scholle, Sarah H. Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 2, 2009 , pp. 193-203(11) Abstract: Health professionals from two different clinical settings were asked about their comfort level in dealing with intimate partner violence (IPV). Focus groups and semistructured interviews were used to gather information. Staff in an obstetrics and gynecology setting relatively rich in IPV resources described feeling capable dealing with IPV. The staff in a general medicine setting dedicated to women's health but without a focus on IPV and with fewer supports described discomfort and difficulty dealing with IPV. Presence of systemic prioritization of and resources for IPV were described as contributing to the confidence in addressing the issue. Other necessary elements identified included (a) on-site resources, (b) adequate time, (c) focused IPV training, and (d) a team or systemic approach. Subtypes of Alcohol and Intimate Partner Violence: A Latent Class Analysis Authors: Klostermann, Keith; Mignone, Theresa; Chen, Rui Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 5, 2009 , pp. 563-576(14) Abstract: The investigation explored whether subtypes of relapse to violence exist for different levels of intimate partner violence and drinking behavior among men who relapse to both alcohol and violence after alcoholism treatment. Male clients entering an alcoholism treatment program who reported at least one incident of intimate partner violence and their female partners (N = 294) were recruited for participation. Data were analyzed using a latent class analysis of mixture model. Findings revealed that two classes of violence best described the sample of men that relapsed to violence. Class 1 contained males who had perpetrated more days of violence, relapsed to violence faster, more frequently relapsed to alcohol, and had a higher percentage of males identified as meeting diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder compared to those in class 2. The Domestic Violence Home-Visit Intervention: Impact on Police-Reported Incidents of Repeat Violence Over 12 Months Authors: Stover, Carla Smith; Poole, Gina; Marans, Steven Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 5, 2009 , pp. 591-606(16) Abstract: The domestic violence home-visit intervention (DVHVI) provides home visits by policeadvocate teams within 72-hours of domestic incident to provide safety, psychoeducation, mental health, legal, or additional police assistance. Clinical and police record data were collected for 512 cases, and repeat calls to the police were tracked for 12 months. Analyses revealed that women who engaged with the DVHVI were more likely to contact the police for subsequent events than those who received no or minimal DVHVI contact. Hispanic women served by Spanish-speaking advocateofficer teams were the most likely to utilize services and call the police for subsequent incidents. Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Intimate Partner Violence Authors: Rivara, Frederick P.; Anderson, Melissa L.; Fishman, Paul; Reid, Robert J.; Bonomi, Amy E.; Carrell, David; Thompson, Robert S. Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 5, 2009 , pp. 627-638(12) Abstract: This study sought to determine if the recent secular decrease in reported intimate partner violence (IPV) in women was due to cohort or period effects. Women ages 18 to 64 were interviewed about IPV during their adult lifetimes. The lifetime prevalence of any IPV was 42%. Regardless of birth cohort, IPV was most common among women in their mid-20s to early 30s. After adjusting for cohort and period effects, women 26 to 30 had the highest risk of any IPV; risk decreased with age. Younger birth cohorts were at decreased risk for IPV. The estimated risk is lowest for those born between 1966 and 1975, with 31% lower risk of IPV than those born in 1946-1955. There was a substantial drop in IPV for all age-groups beginning in the 1990s. Prevalence and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Men and Women Entering Substance Use Disorder Treatment Authors: Schneider, Renee; Burnette, Mandi L.; Ilgen, Mark A.; Timko, Christine Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 6, 2009 , pp. 744-756(13) Abstract: Intimate partner violence victimization was examined in men (N = 4,459) and women (N = 1,774) entering substance use disorder treatment. Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 10 men reported lifetime victimization by an intimate partner. Entering treatment for alcohol, as compared to drug abuse and history of childhood abuse, were each associated with intimate partner violence victimization. Victimization by an intimate partner was also associated with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and attempted suicide. Although victimization was linked to physical health problems, the nature of these problems varied by gender. Women and men with a history of intimate partner victimization present to substance use disorder treatment with a complex array of mental and physical health problems. Australian Government (2010) Family Violence A National Legal Response – Final Report. New South Wales Legal Reform Commission Report 128. http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/familyviolence-national-legal-response-alrc-report-114 Men in the Movement to End Violence Against Women: Campaigns and Campaign Materials National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) (Revised 2007). This collection highlights many campaigns organized by or aimed at men to prevent domestic violence and/or encourage men's involvement in the movement to end violence against women. Also included are several sample campaign materials available online for replication, purchase, or dissemination purposes. It is one in a series of three special collections focusing on the domestic violence prevention and education efforts of men. http://new.vawnet.org/category/Documents.php?docid=1044&category_id=698 Postmus (2010) Economic Empowerment of Domestic Violence Survivors. National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women. This paper reviews and critiques the existing literature on economic abuse experienced by domestic violence survivors and selected economic empowerment programs designed to address such abuse and its aftermath. http://new.vawnet.org/category/index_pages.php?category_id=355 LaViolette (2010) Assessing Intimate Partner Violence: A Context Sensitive Aggression Scale. Journal of Child Custody, 6: 3, 219 — 231. This author proposes a continuum of aggressive acts with the intention of creating a context that could aid in assessment and intervention when intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue. The continuum contains acts of aggression that may occur without a context or pattern of abuse. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15379410903084665