Latest Results for Journal of Family Violence
Stalking in College Student Dating Relationships: A Descriptive Investigation
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Violence in college student dating relationships is a prevalent problem. However, little research has examined stalking, behaviors that have most commonly been examined after relationship termination, not within intact relationships. The purpose of the present study was to descriptively examine the prevalence and frequency of various stalking behaviors among male and female college students in a current dating relationship (N = 650). Results demonstrated that the prevalence of some stalking behaviors were as high as 38 % in the previous 6 months. Additionally, out of 15 potential stalking behaviors, men and women only differed on the frequency of one stalking behavior (leaving unwanted items for a partner). Findings demonstrate that stalking behaviors are relatively common among college students in dating relationships.Negative Affect Reciprocity as an Explanation of the Correlation between Perpetrating and Being a Victim of Sexual Coercion
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to test the negative affect reciprocity explanation of the positive correlation between being a victim of and perpetrating sexual coercion. In the first study, 92 participants who were in a romantic relationship filled out measures of sexual coercion and measures of relationship aggression. Supporting the negative affect reciprocity explanation, all of the measures (coercion and aggression) were positively intercorrelated. In the second study, 51 couples filled out the above measures. Supporting the negative affect reciprocity explanation, four of the six sexual coercion measures intercorrelate with themselves and all of the aggression measures intercorrelated. However, only some of the coercion and aggression measures intercorrelated suggesting that negative affect reciprocity in the two areas is to some extent independent. Both studies found that sexual coercion and aggression were to some extent negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction but not probability of marriage.Are Emergency Department Admissions in the Past Two Years Predictors of Femicide? Results from a Case–control Study in Italy
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
It is unclear if femicide represents either the final outcome of an history of violence or a dramatic isolated event. The study aims to evaluate whether admissions in Emergency Departments during the 24 months preceding a woman’s death may be considered a risk predictor for femicide. A case–control study design was used. Victims of femicide during 2005–2010 with residence in Piedmont, Italy, were considered as cases (42). Women with the same residence who died in road traffic accidents were selected as controls (440). Odds Ratios were computed, adjusting for socio-economic characteristics. Victims of femicide had a significantly higher probability to have an admission to Emergency Departments when compared to controls of the same age and socio-economic status. This suggests that femicide is in most cases preceded by episodes of physical violence that can be documented by admissions in Emergency Departments.Gender Equality, Liberalism and Attitude Toward Prostitution: Variation in Cross-National Study
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
The current study tested the relationship between attitudes toward gender equality and attitudes toward prostitution by employing an international sample of 48,630 subjects in 54 countries from the fifth wave (2005–2007) of the World Values Survey. Unlike previous studies, the current mixed level logistic regression results found no fixed effect between an individual’s gender equality attitude and attitude toward prostitution. However, the findings on other variables suggested that liberals are more likely to have a somewhat more favorable attitude toward prostitution than conservatives. Those who hold a higher social status, who are less religious, and who do not have a strong belief in marriage are more likely to have a somewhat favorable attitude toward prostitution.Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth: Domestic Violence Therapists Versus Social Service Department Therapists in Israel
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the implications of treating victims of trauma for therapists. The concept of vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) relates to the positive implications of treating trauma victims. This study compared VPTG among 143 domestic violence therapists versus 71 therapists working at social service departments in Israel. In addition, an attempt was made to identify background characteristics and personal factors as well as environmental factors that contribute to VPTG, with emphasis on the contribution of secondary traumatization. The findings revealed that VPTG was slightly above a moderate level. Among the therapists working at social service departments, VPTG was higher. Moreover, secondary traumatization contributed significantly to VPTG as a linear variable and as a curvilinear variable.Do Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Differ in Regards to Their Help-Seeking? A Qualitative Study
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Socio-cultural and sociopolitical influences on women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their decision-making processes are not well-understood. This study characterizes help-seeking behaviors of Hispanic and non-Hispanic survivors using Liang et al.’s analytical framework and identifies differences in barriers to help-seeking between these cultural groups. Transcripts from two focus groups of non-Hispanic survivors and one focus group of Hispanic survivors were coded to identify similar and dissimilar factors impacting Liang et al.’s three stages of help-seeking. Though several barriers were common, Hispanic participants felt informal support systems were inaccessible and being involved in IPV was shaming. They preferred to not seek help but act to change their circumstances. Non-Hispanic participants described extensive experience with formal systems, but relied on strong self-advocacy skills for effectiveness. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the socio-cultural context in which decision-making processes occur in order to provide the best support to IPV survivors.The Comorbid and Individual Impacts of Maternal Depression and Substance Dependence on Parenting and Child Behavior Problems
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Maternal depression, substance dependence, and the comorbidity of these conditions are highly prevalent risk factors among families involved with Child Protective Services (CPS). Data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being I (NSCAW I) were analyzed to examine the influence of maternal substance dependence, depression, and comorbidity on parenting and child behavior over 36-months among children reported to CPS who remained in the home at all waves. Although neglect and child behavior problems were highest for mothers with comorbidity at baseline, mothers with substance dependence had the poorest self-reported parenting and child behavior problems over time. Results indicate a need for intensive targeted services to address the complex needs of CPS-involved mothers with substance dependence and their in-home children.Review of Gender Violence Among Arab Immigrants in Canada: Key Issues for Prevention Efforts
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Migration can be a major risk factor for gender violence due to cultural differences, stereotypes, unemployment, and lack of knowledge about services and immigration laws. Even though it is possible to get evidence about many of these issues, there is a lack of evidence-informed interventions designed to reduce gender violence among Arab immigrants in Canada. The hierarchical structure within many Arab families in western societies can challenge prescribed gender roles, which might be perceived as a threat to the continuity of the culture and a reason for abuse. This literature review addresses issues for interventions that seek to reduce gender violence while recognizing resilience, family hierarchy, and the value of maintaining a family as potentially protective factors in prevention programming.Decisions to Prosecute Battered Women’s Homicide Cases: An Exploratory Study
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Discretionary decisions to prosecute cases in which a battered woman kills her partner were investigated using several research strategies and targeting a range of case elements. Law students presented with case elements reported they would consider legal elements over nonlegal (or “supplemental”) elements when making a decision to prosecute. In contrast, law students assessed through an open-ended format as to important case factors for deciding to prosecute spontaneously generated high proportions of supplemental case elements compared with legal factors. Vignette comparisons of 42 case elements on participants’ likelihood to prosecute identified salient factors including legal and supplemental variables. Themes from the open-ended responses are discussed, as well as the extent to which supplemental factors were more likely to be considered in prosecution decisions when assessed through different methodological strategies.Childhood Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Adult Mental Health Problems: Relationships with Gender and Age of Exposure
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Relatively little is known about the associations between childhood exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and adulthood mental health problems. This study used 2,500 Swedish young adults’ retrospective self-reports to determine the prevalence of childhood exposure to IPV and examine the relationships between such exposure and gender, age of exposure and adult mental health problems. Twenty-eight percent of participants reported any childhood exposure to IPV. Exposure was more common among women, who were also younger at first exposure and exposed to more severe violence than men. Both exposure and severity of IPV were related to all mental health problems examined. The interaction of IPV exposure and gender, while significant, explained relatively little of the variance in mental health problems.Personal Mastery Buffers the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Women’s Health and Family Functioning
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Personal mastery has been associated with many positive outcomes and may attenuate negative responses to life stressors. Our research extends prior work by examining whether personal mastery can buffer women from long-term outcomes associated with childhood sexual abuse (CSA). We expected that: (1) women with CSA histories would report more depressive symptoms, poorer family functioning, and more physical health problems compared to women without such histories; (2) personal mastery would be associated with better outcomes in these domains; and (3) personal mastery would attenuate the effects of CSA on women’s outcomes. Data were obtained from a larger study of parenting among women with and without CSA histories. Our predictions were fully supported for depressive symptoms and family dysfunction, and partially supported for physical health. The current findings contribute to knowledge about the long-term effects of CSA and identify a protective factor that may buffer the negative sequelae of traumatic events.Measuring Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Service Providers’ Attitudes: The Development of the Survivor-Defined Advocacy Scale (SDAS)
2015-10-01 02:00:00 AM
Abstract
Survivor-defined advocacy, which emphasizes survivor empowerment and systemic change, is an emerging preferred practice for intimate partner violence (IPV) service delivery. IPV service providers’ attitudes can facilitate or impede the implementation of this practice model. This article reports on the development and revision of the Survivor-Defined Advocacy Scale (SDAS), which assesses IPV service providers’ attitudes about their work and clients. Results for the SDAS yielded a two-factor solution: Survivor Empathy and Systems Advocacy. This study also examined the SDAS relationship to provider demographics, perceptions of organizational values, and compassion satisfaction. Compassion satisfaction accounted for most of the variance in survivor-defined advocacy. The implications of these findings and the potential uses of the SDAS with IPV providers are discussed.The Relationship of Reflective Functioning to Parent Child Interactions in a Sample of Fathers with Concurrent Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Substance Abuse Problems
2015-09-10 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
This study is the first to examine reflective functioning (RF) and direct parent–child interactions of fathers with concurrent intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and substance abuse (SA) problems. Twenty-four fathers, with children between the age of one and seven, completed a structured interview to assess RF, self-report measures of hostile-aggressive parenting behaviors, IPV perpetration severity, SA severity, and a coded play session with their children. Results of three simultaneous multiple regressions revealed that RF in fathers was not associated significantly with observed parenting behaviors. However, fathers’ SA severity emerged as a significant predictor for child avoidant behavior and dyadic tension, and fathers’ IPV perpetration severity contributed unique variance to child avoidant behavior and dyadic constriction. These results suggest that fathers’ SA severity and IPV perpetration behaviors may be more salient factors in predicting their father-child interactions than paternal RF.The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) on Parenting by Mothers Within an Ethnically Diverse Population in the Netherlands
2015-08-28 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) profoundly affects multiple life domains for the people involved. We report on the experiences of Dutch mothers of various ethnic backgrounds regarding their parenting during and after IPV, their perceptions of the influence of IPV on their parenting, as well as their need for and experiences with support services. We conducted qualitative interviews with 100 mothers in the Netherlands who had experienced IPV. Most reported negative experiences with parenting (both during and after the IPV), a strong effect of the IPV on their parenting, as well as circumstances that aggravated this effect. The mothers had used multiple sources of formal and informal support. Although most evaluated the support that they had received positively, some also mentioned mixed or negative experiences. Many were still in need of support. Relationships with ethnic background and the severity of IPV are discussed.Mediating Effects of Existential and Religious Well-Being Among Abused, Suicidal African American Women
2015-08-02 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV), an international public health matter, is linked to psychological distress including suicidal behavior. Despite the noted sequelae associated with IPV, many individuals display resilience in the face of IPV exposure. This study examines two potential protective factors in the IPV-suicidal ideation link, namely existential and religious well-being, in a sample of African American women. Low-income, African American, female suicide attempters who were abused by a partner within the previous year (N = 111) were administered the Conflicts Tactics Scale-2, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. Mediational models testing indirect effects through the bootstrapping method revealed that the total effect of IPV on suicidal ideation was positive and significant, confirming suicidal ideation as a consequential outcome of IPV among African American women. This effect was mediated by existential well-being; however, religious well-being was not a significant mediator, suggesting that existential well-being serves a unique protective role in the IPV-suicidal ideation relation. The results provide additional support for the well-known positive effects of existential well-being on mental health among African American samples. Culturally-informed, meaning-making interventions to enhance existential well-being appear to be effective in reducing suicidal ideation in this population.Family Functioning and Children’s Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in a Referred Sample Exposed to Interparental Violence
2015-08-02 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
This study examined the association between interparental violence (IPV), child abuse and neglect, other traumatic experiences, and children’s post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and explored the moderating role of family functioning in the aftermath of IPV. One hundred and twenty IPV-exposed children (53.3 % male, M age = 9.85) and parents who were referred to community mental health centers participated in the study. Combined, IPV, child abuse and neglect, and other traumatic experiences were associated with PTS symptoms. For family functioning, higher levels of parenting stress were associated with higher levels of PTS symptoms. No moderating effects were found. To understand the variability in PTS symptoms among children exposed to IPV, other traumatic and stressful experiences need to be taken into account.Stress Management and Intimate Partner Violence: A Randomized Controlled Trial
2015-08-01 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
Intimate partner violence is a major health problem for women; some of the most common symptoms of violence are depression, psychological distress, and sleep disturbances. In this parallel randomized controlled trial, which took place in Athens-Greece, abused women were randomly assigned to undergo either an 8-week stress management program (n = 16; relaxation breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, twice a day counseling) or standard shelter services (n = 18). Self-reported validated measures were used to evaluate perceived stress, health locus of control, depression, and ways of coping. In participants in the intervention group, perceived stress was significantly decreased after 8 weeks of relaxation, showing a medium effect of 0.45, but no significant results were noted for sleeping hours, health locus of control, depression, and ways of coping. These results reveal the need to develop interventions for this vulnerable population and future studies should incorporate more objective laboratory outcomes.Emotional Awareness and Breaking the Cycle of Revictimization
2015-08-01 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
The current study investigated the moderating effect of emotional awareness on the relation between childhood abuse and both intimate partner violence (IPV) and adult relationship quality. Israeli female graduate students (N = 425), aged 25 or older, either married or in long-term cohabitation, completed an Internet-based questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SEM multiple-group analysis. Emotional awareness was found to be a protective factor against revictimization. Child abuse was associated with IPV among women with a low level of emotional awareness, but not among women with a high level of emotional awareness. Emotional awareness did not moderate the relation between child abuse and relationship quality. The findings are discussed in relation to revictimization and resilience theories, and to clinical implications.A Case–Control Study on Socio-Psycho-Somatic Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence in North-West of Iran
2015-08-01 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is classified into physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological types. The aim of this study is to determine the complications of IPV in Iran. A case control study was done on women referred to the forensic medicine center with a complaint of IPV as cases, and women referred to the urban health centers for routine care as control group. The most common physical complication was hematoma in 99 and 33 % of cases and controls respectively. Among chronic complaints, headache was the most frequent among 64 and 19 % of case and control groups respectively. Depression and anxiety were the most common mental complications. The effects of IPV are serious problems and should be considered in counseling.Multidimensional Trait Emotional Intelligence and Aggressive Tendencies in Male Offenders of Domestic Violence
2015-08-01 03:00:00 AM
Abstract
This study was undertaken to identify the role of six facets of trait-emotional intelligence (EI) in men’s aggressive tendencies toward intimate partners (N = 131). Consistent with past research, hierarchical regression showed emotional self-regulation and empathy were negatively and uniquely predictive of four self-reported aggressive tendencies: physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Canonical correlations yielded two distinct patterns of relationships between EI and aggressive tendencies. The first canonical correlation supported an overall negative relationship, especially involving dependent variables anger and hostility. A second canonical correlation revealed higher physical and verbal aggression were associated with higher emotional self-recognition, regulation of others’ emotions, nonverbal emotional expression, and lower empathy. Findings support a multidimensional understanding of EI and aggressive tendencies.
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