Citation

Williams JR, Ghandour RM, Kub JE. Trauma Violence Abuse 2008; 9(4): 227-249.

Affiliation

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1524838008324418

PMID

18936281

PMCID

PMC2663360

Abstract

This article critically reviews 62 empirical studies that examine the prevalence of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence across three distinct populations (adolescents, college students, and adults). All studies were published between 1996 and 2006 and reported prevalence rates of physical, emotional, and/or sexual violence perpetrated by females in heterosexual intimate relationships. The highest rates were found for emotional violence, followed by physical and sexual violence. Prevalence rates varied widely within each population, most likely because of methodological and sampling differences across studies. Few longitudinal studies existed, limiting the extent to which we could identify developmental patterns associated with female-perpetrated intimate partner violence. Differences and similarities across populations are highlighted. Methodological difficulties of this area of inquiry as well as implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

Language: en