Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Sandra M. Stith / Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a serious problem throughout the world. Research has identified a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) as a risk factor for IPH (Campbell et al., 2007). However, we know that not all individuals who perpetrate IPV end up perpetrating IPH, and not all victims of IPV end up becoming victims of IPH. There is a need to identify additional risk factors for IPH in order to potentially help identify individuals who may be at a greater risk for IPH perpetration or victimization. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis on risk factors for male IPH perpetration and female IPH victimization. This meta-analysis examined results from 17 studies, which included 148 effect sizes to be used in the analysis. The overall sample size included in the study was 10,143. This study compared IPV samples and IPH samples as a means to aid in identifying risk factors that may place individuals who are victims or perpetrators of IPV at a greater risk for IPH perpetration or victimization. Results of our analyses indicated that the strongest risk factors for male IPH perpetration were the perpetrator having direct access to a gun, perpetrator’s’ previous threats with a weapon, perpetrator’s previous non-fatal strangulation, perpetrator’s previous rape of the victim, perpetrator’s demonstration of controlling behaviors, perpetrator’s previous threats to harm the victim, and the perpetrator’s previous stalking of the victim. We found that the strongest risk factors for female IPH victimization were the victim being abused by the perpetrator while pregnant, the victim’s substance abuse, the victim having less than a high school education, being separated from the perpetrator, and having children from a previous relationship (not with the perpetrator). Implications for law enforcement personnel, victim advocates, mental health professionals, as well as other professionals who may be in contact with potential IPH perpetrators and victims are discussed.

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Members of the Arab American community experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique barriers to help-seeking and have different comfort levels with using formal and informal resources. This thesis surveyed Arab-Americans to identify perceived barriers and comfort levels with IPV help-seeking. A culturally informed and centered approach was taken to examine connections between individual level factors, perceived barriers and comfort levels in using resources. To do so, I gathered data via an online survey with 82 Arab American participants. Findings suggest that participants perceived the greatest barriers to seeking help for IPV are related to how others view and understand Arab Americans (i.e., "There is a stigma in how outsiders view Arab Americans" and "I feel my cultural values would not be taken into consideration") and that they would be more comfortable seeking help from informal resources, such as a friend or member of their family, compared to formal resources, such as calling the police or going to a homeless shelter. Participants who felt more connected to their local Arab American community perceived more barriers to IPV help-seeking and said they would feel less comfortable using informal and formal resources if they ever experienced IPV. Empirical evidence from this study suggests that Arab Americans believe that they would face many barriers and would feel uncomfortable in using more formal resources if they ever experienced IPV. To address these issues, it is important that those providing IPV resources better understand how they are being perceived by the Arab American community, and take steps to reduce those barriers and increase comfort levels in the Arab American community in using their services.

The present study investigated the effect of social reinforcement on dating violence perpetration and victimization among college-aged individuals who are regular social media users. The purpose of the study is to add to the current body of research on dating violence as it applies specifically to the college-aged population and to assess the influence of social reinforcement from social media. An anonymous online survey distributed via email and social networks included questions about social media use, dating violence victimization and perpetration experiences, and perceptions of peer beliefs about dating violence. The results reveal that individuals who are regular social media users experience a social reinforcement effect on perpetration rates. This study has implications in understanding our deepening connections to the online world and how those connections impact real-world experiences.

Domestic violence research is an important part of both scholarly and practitioner investigations into the circumstances and legal outcomes of domestic violence incidents. To improve upon our current understanding of domestic violence court cases, this study utilizes data from the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida to examine the relationship between socio-demographic factors and domestic violence case dispositions. Using Generalized Estimating Equation modeling, Black's theory of the quantity of law, which proposes that the quantity of law observed between parties varies based on individual characteristics, is used to investigate the relationship between individual case characteristics and domestic violence case disposition outcomes. Findings from this study suggest that different stages of the disposition outcome are related to petitioner and respondent characteristics, and legal and injury factors. The findings from this study are useful to those that are interested in developing a better understanding of the relationship between domestic violence case characteristics and the resulting court dispositions.

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The involvement of women in human trafficking within the United States has received limited research attention. Human trafficking encompasses labor, sex, and organ trafficking (Roberts, 2012). In 2009 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that women play a significant role in human trafficking. Nagel and Johnson (1994) conclude that, historically, female offenders have stayed at the edge of the criminal justice system. Generally, theories about prosecution and conviction outcomes derive from the study of male offenders. Women can be involved in all aspects of the human trafficking organizations, from the recruitment, to the supervision of prostitutes and to the finances. Pulling from the chivalry theory framework, this study used data sourced from the FBI on human trafficking offenders and their sentencing outcomes to compare the discrepancies between men and women. The current research adds to the existing literature by examining the gender discrepancy on human trafficking case outcomes. The analysis measures how gender influences court-related decisions.

This study explored risk factors associated with the arrest for adolescent to parent abuse (ATPA) when compared to arrest for a similar violent misdemeanor against a non-parent. The phenomenon of ATPA is widely under-researched and there is little in terms of prevention policy or treatment. Using 18,548 risk assessment screens performed with adolescents (12-17) arrested in Florida for a violent misdemeanor, and guided by previous literature and social ecological and social bond theories, this analysis explored the relationship between risk factors (categorized as individual characteristics, beliefs, behavior, commitment and involvement and attachment) and arrest for ATPA versus arrest for a violent misdemeanor against a non-parent. Of the 17 hypothesized risk factors, 9 risk factors were found to be significant risk factors associated with the arrest for ATPA versus the arrest for a violent misdemeanor against a non-parent. Age and ethnicity/race were both found to be associated with ATPA arrests. Risk factors found to increase the likelihood of being arrested for ATPA included a history of mental health problems, the adolescent witnessing domestic violence, the adolescent being a victim of abuse, and adolescents' normative beliefs in resolving conflict. The findings of this study add to the current body of literature and can be used to inform the creation of new policies and interventions in the realm of ATPA and family violence.

This study explored the relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Risk-Propensity in African-American women. Current literature on HIV reveals that one of the groups most seriously impacted by the continued scourge of HIV is African-American heterosexual women. An anonymous questionnaire was completed by a community based sample of 200 African American women with a varied history of intimate partner violence to (1) explore whether a relationship exists between Intimate Partner Violence and sexual coercion in African-American women (2) determine whether a relationship exists between sexual coercion and HIV Risk in African-American women (3) determine if the frequency of intimate partner violence impacts the HIV-risk of African-American Women (4) determine if the ability of African-American women to negotiate condom use is affected by being in a violent relationship, and (5) determine if there is a relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and increased HIV-risk propensity among African-American women. Various statistical techniques, including structural equation modeling (SEM), bivariate correlation analyses and ANOVA were used to examine the data. A strong positive correlation was found to exist between sexual coercion and Intimate Partner Violence. Specifically, the frequency of physical abuse, and feeling frightened by what a partner says or does were found to be highly correlated with sexual coercion. Moderate levels of correlation were also found between sexual coercion and frequency of being emotionally abused. Statistically significant regression weights indicate that when Intimate Partner Violence increases, sexual coercion also increases. Moderate and high correlations were also found between sexual coercion and ability to negotiate condom use. Statistically significant standardized regression weights indicate that as sexual coercion increases HIV Risk also increases. Moderate correlations also exist between being in a violent relationship and being able to negotiate condom use. Standardized regression weights reveal that as IPV increases HIV Risk also increases. The frequency of Intimate Partner Violence was also shown to impact the levels of sexual coercion, likelihood of having a partner with a STD, and the likelihood of have a partner who uses intravenous drugs. In the effort to fortify prevention strategies, and reduce the rates of HIV infection in African-American women, additional factors that impact disease transmission were discussed and suggestions for future research were made.

This research was designed to expand the empirical knowledge and understanding of stalking victimization by examining both intimate and nonintimate stalking and the use of technology to stalk. To accomplish this, the current research examined differences among intimate and nonintimate stalking, stalking types (cyberstalking, stalking with technology, and traditional stalking), and stalking types by the victim-offender relationship. Specifically, this research examined demographic differences, differences in severity, seriousness, victim reactions and responses to and effects of stalking. Findings revealed that overall intimate partner stalking victims experienced greater levels of seriousness and severity of stalking, and expressed more fear than nonintimate partner stalking victims. Additionally, they were more likely to have engaged in self-protective or help-seeking actions. With regard to stalking type, victims who were cyberstalked and stalked with technology experienced a greater variety of stalking behaviors, were more likely to define the behaviors as stalking, and took more actions to protect themselves than victims who were traditionally stalked. Moreover, those who were stalked with technology experienced a greater severity of stalking. And when examining differences among stalking types by the victim-offender relationship, intimate partner stalking victims were still more likely than nonintimate partner stalking victims to have experienced a greater severity of stalking. This research contributed to existing research by being the first to examine cyberstalking and stalking with technology with a national dataset, and adding to the knowledge of differences between intimate and nonintimate partner stalking. Implications for policy and for research are discussed.