Studies on spouse abuse have typically focused on the frequency of the violence, the individual characteristics of abusers and victims, and the sociocultural aspects of the problem. Many of the current findings remain isolated. A comprehensive model explaining the causes of spouse abuse is lacking. The present study tested the premise that spouse abuse is a multidimensional problem, resulting from several factors in combination with one another.Two hundred nineteen students, faculty, and staff from a midsized university were surveyed regarding: (a) family of origin relational patterns: (b) childhood exposure to violence; (c) current anger expression; (d) attributions for abuse; and (e) current relationship violence. Based upon the existing theoretical literature, the variables formed a conceptual model describing relationship conflict behaviors. It was hypothesized that: (1) family of origin relational patterns and childhood exposure to violence would predict current anger expression and attributions for abuse: (2) current anger expression and attributions for abuse would predict current relationship conflict behaviors; (3) the relationships in (1) and (2) would be stronger than other possible relationships.Analyses were completed in two stages. First, the latent variables in the conceptual model were described through factor analysis of the measured variables. Composites representing measured factors containing the latent variables were placed into the hypothesized model. Second, canonical analysis evaluated the significance of the hypothesized and alternate relationships between factors.The hypothesized model was confirmed with some revision. The results indicated that violent behavior between men and women was most directly linked to current anger expression. Attributions about spouse abuse were not found to be related to current relationship violence. Anger expression appeared to be influenced by the family of origin relational patterns, childhood exposure to non-spousal violence, and a history of committing violence against adults during adolescence. Abuse between parents was not directly related to anger expression or relationship conflict. Abuse between parents was only influential when combined with an exposure to non-spousal violence during childhood. A revised model, which included a new factor called sociopathic features, was developed. It was concluded that relationship violence is best explained by a combination of these psychosocial factors. Implications for practice with spouse abuse are also presented. Given that anger expression appears to be the major factor, the most appropriate treatment may be that which focuses on anger expression and control. Future research is needed to evaluate this revised model of spouse abuse, and to identify potential ways of intervening in this developmental process. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Ten female survivors of physically assaultive domestic violence were interviewed three times each in a feminist, qualitative study designed to access their perceptions about their children's experiences in domestic violence. All participants had children living with them at the time of the abuse and were one to five years out of the abuse. All women stated their children had been exposed to domestic violence. Women described their children's involvement in the following areas: legal (visitation, custody, child support); indirect involvement (witnessing effects of abuse) and direct involvement (feeling responsible, protecting parents); and direct child maltreatment. Child maltreatment rates measured by homes were: physical (50%); sexual (20%); emotional (90%); and neglect (70%). No patterns were present regarding child involvement. That is, children's involvement did not progress in a clear pattern from indirect to direct. While all women protected their children in the relationship, four turning points were identified in a continuum of women's protective actions: child witnessed abuse to mom; mom saw signs in child; emotional abuse to the child; and physical or sexual abuse to the child. Turning points were the points at which the women recognized they could no longer protect their children within the context of the violent relationship. Unmarried women reached their turning point earlier while women whose church involvement dictated strict obedience to spouse and those who experienced the most severe physical abuse reached their turning points later. Turning points often corresponded with leaving the relationship and were related to both social context and individual variables. Perceptions of motherhood in domestic violence were also studied. Women cited their children as important influences in staying with, returning to, and leaving abusive partners. Women stayed in relationships because of socially conditioned beliefs about children needing fathers, beliefs about marriage and family, and perceptions of children's bonds with their fathers. Finally, women's perceptions of motherhood fell into four categories: protection of their children; conflict between roles as wife and mother; concern about meeting their children's needs; and guilt about mothering. The two women who prioritized the needs of their children over their abusive partners were spared some guilt. / Graduation date: 1999

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A quantitative study that examines American Muslim women's level of exposure to domestic violence, resources available to them, and the effect of domestic violence on their psychological well-being. Data was collected from 128 Muslim women from the Islamic Center of Riverside in Southern California. The key finding of the study was a significant positive relationship between depression and the use of verbal aggression. In addition, a positive relationship was found to exist between anxiety, depression and the use of violence.

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This study examined the distinct effects of partner violence and psychological abuse on women's mental health over time. Latent growth modeling was used to examine stability and change over time, evaluating the course and consequences of each form of abuse. The size of women's social support network was examined as a mediator. The sample consisted of 835 African American, Euro-American, and Mexican American low-income women. Participants who completed Waves 1, 2, 3, and 5 were included in the study (n = 585). In general, partner violence decreased over time for all groups, while psychological abuse decreased over time for only Euro-American women. Whereas initial and prolonged exposure to psychological abuse was related to and directly impacted women's mental health, partner violence was only related to initial levels of mental health. Surprisingly, social support was only related to initial violence and distress and had no impact on the rate of change over time. These results have important implications for researchers and health care professionals. First, differences in the pattern of results were found for each ethnic group, reaffirming the notion that counselors and researchers must be sensitive to multicultural concerns in both assessment and intervention. For example, psychological abuse had a greater impact on the mental health of African American and Mexican American women than it did for Euro-American women, suggesting a shift in focus depending on the ethnicity of the client may be warranted. Second, this longitudinal study highlights the importance of future research to considerer individual differences in treating and studying victimized women. Understanding factors that contribute to individual trajectories will help counselors gain insight into the problem and in devising plans to prevent or reduce the occurrence and negative health impact of partner abuse.