Intimate partner violence : gender symmetry and the victim perpetrator overlap
Robertson, Kirsten J.
Intimate partner violence : gender symmetry and the victim perpetrator overlap A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) at the University of Otago. Robertson, Kirsten Jane - 2005
Thesis (PhD - Psychology) - University of Otago, 2005. This dissertation claims to address limitations in intimate partner violence (IPV) literature, in particular, the gender symmetry debate. Its aim is to identify factors associated with the dynamics of violent relationships from both male and female, perpetrator and victim perspectives, with the objective of informing female IPV prevention from within a couples-based approach. The author examines the correlates related to perpetrating and suffering IPV, communication behaviour, and conflict management techniques as a function of abuse history. Participants were recruited from three samples of the New Zealand population (student n=67, general n=66, and incarcerated n=39). The three parts of the dissertation examine incidence rates using the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) and psychological correlates of IPV, participants' communication behaviour, conflict behaviour, and attitudes. The findings reveal that perpetrators and victims employed less positive communication styles and lacked skills for dealing with conflict. An examination of attitudes towards IPV revealed males and females had similar attitudes and were more condoning of female than male-perpetrated IPV. The author concludes that individuals with a history of IPV were the most condoning of violence. Male and female IPV was found to be similar in frequency, severity, and similarly associated with control. However, the type of acts perpetrated differed across gender, with, for example, males more likely to strangle, while females tended to hit, kick or throw things. Overall, the findings revealed a form of bi-directional IPV which was gender symmetrical. A number of limitations to the study were acknowledged: use of the CTS2, a self-reporting approach, and the lack of any investigation of the use of fear, as this is seen as a consequence rather than a motivation for violence. A number of recommendations are made for changes to funding policies, including more support for programmes to address dysfunctional behaviour in relationships and for broader community awareness of relationship violence.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
nz
ABUSED MEN
DEMOGRAPHICS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
GENDER
OFFENDERS
PHYSICAL ABUSE
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
STATISTICS
SURVIVORS
THESES
VICTIMS
VIOLENCE
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence : gender symmetry and the victim perpetrator overlap A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) at the University of Otago. Robertson, Kirsten Jane - 2005
Thesis (PhD - Psychology) - University of Otago, 2005. This dissertation claims to address limitations in intimate partner violence (IPV) literature, in particular, the gender symmetry debate. Its aim is to identify factors associated with the dynamics of violent relationships from both male and female, perpetrator and victim perspectives, with the objective of informing female IPV prevention from within a couples-based approach. The author examines the correlates related to perpetrating and suffering IPV, communication behaviour, and conflict management techniques as a function of abuse history. Participants were recruited from three samples of the New Zealand population (student n=67, general n=66, and incarcerated n=39). The three parts of the dissertation examine incidence rates using the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) and psychological correlates of IPV, participants' communication behaviour, conflict behaviour, and attitudes. The findings reveal that perpetrators and victims employed less positive communication styles and lacked skills for dealing with conflict. An examination of attitudes towards IPV revealed males and females had similar attitudes and were more condoning of female than male-perpetrated IPV. The author concludes that individuals with a history of IPV were the most condoning of violence. Male and female IPV was found to be similar in frequency, severity, and similarly associated with control. However, the type of acts perpetrated differed across gender, with, for example, males more likely to strangle, while females tended to hit, kick or throw things. Overall, the findings revealed a form of bi-directional IPV which was gender symmetrical. A number of limitations to the study were acknowledged: use of the CTS2, a self-reporting approach, and the lack of any investigation of the use of fear, as this is seen as a consequence rather than a motivation for violence. A number of recommendations are made for changes to funding policies, including more support for programmes to address dysfunctional behaviour in relationships and for broader community awareness of relationship violence.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
nz
ABUSED MEN
DEMOGRAPHICS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
GENDER
OFFENDERS
PHYSICAL ABUSE
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
STATISTICS
SURVIVORS
THESES
VICTIMS
VIOLENCE
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE