published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The increasing psychologisation of domestic violence in the past 25 years is an example of what Rose (1985) terms the 'psychological-complex'. The psy-complex rests on a particular understanding of the subject of psychology. The subject is the unitary, rational and psychological being. This understanding of subjectivity is gendered as it identifies women as responsible for the transferal of the psy-complex to the family. The psy-complex is analysed as a form of power resting on this gendered subjectivity. It is also analysed as a form of power that has escaped feminist scrutiny due to the feminist assumptions. that power is repressive and prohibitive. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

This study examines how lesbian domestic violence is constructed by various social actors from within a social representations framework. In particular, the study compares and contrasts the ways in which social representations on lesbian domestic violence are constituted by practitioners working within the spheres of both domestic violence and lesbian mental health in Quebec. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with workers from the shelter movement and with practitioners who work with lesbians. Findings indicate that proximity, either by identifying as a lesbian or by having lesbian friends or family members, is an important and central factor in understanding how social representations of lesbian domestic violence are constructed within and these social actors. The results also suggest that the silence surrounding lesbian domestic violence in Quebec reflects particular preoccupations within each group. Implications for practice research and policy in Quebec are considered in light of these findings.

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

"Although awareness of the pervasiveness and significance of partner abuse has been growing, little data exist on matching type of abusers with specific interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate one example of the empirically based typologies of partner abuse that could lead to improved interventions for abusers." / Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

"Although awareness of the pervasiveness and significance of partner abuse has been growing, little data exist on matching type of abusers with specific interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate one example of the empirically based typologies of partner abuse that could lead to improved interventions for abusers." / Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Katreena Scott.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Arizona, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-206).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Minnesota, 2007. / Advisers: Ann Masten, Monica Luciana. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-89).