Citation

Babcock JC, Miller SA, Siard C. Psychol. Women Q. 2003; 27(2): 153-161.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Society for the Psychology of Women, Division 35, American Psychological Association, Publisher SAGE Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Based on previous typologies of domestically violent men (Holtzworth-Munroe & Stuart, 1994), women who were referred to a treatment agency for abusive behavior (N= 52) were categorized into two groups based on the breadth of their use of violence: Partner-Only (PO) and Generally Violent (GV). PO women were hypothesized to use reactive violence, for example, out of fear or in self-defense, whereas GV women were hypothesized to use instrumental violence, that is, in order to exert control. Self-defense was assessed in three different ways and convergent validity was demonstrated for these three new measures. GV women reported using instrumental violence more than PO women, in a variety of situations. GV women tended to report more traumatic symptoms than PO women, although they did not experience significantly more abuse. GV women were more likely to witness their mothers' physical aggression. Thus, we theorize that GV women have been socialized to believe that it is acceptable for women to use violence to resolve conflict. Trauma history and violent socialization should be addressed clinically. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2003. Copyright © 2003 by Blackwell Publishers)

Offender Typology
Offender Characteristics
Adult Female
Adult Fear
Adult Violence
Adult Offender
Self-Defense
Domestic Violence Causes
Domestic Violence Offender
Spouse Abuse Causes
Spouse Abuse Offender
Dating Violence Causes
Dating Violence Offender
Cohabitation Abuse Causes
Cohabitation Abuse Offender
Partner Violence
Violence Against Women
02-04