Thesis (Psy.D.)--The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--La Salle University, 2005. / ProQuest dissertations and theses ; AAT 3227739. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-55)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2000. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-88). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

The purpose of this study was to compare abusing parents to a random sample from the general population. A questionnaire given to 613 abusing parents was administered to a small (n = 30) control group. Data reported supported prevailing theories in literature that parents abuse because of low self-esteem, negative attitudes towards their roles as parents and dissatisfaction with their children as well as being socially isolated and undergoing high stressors without adequate means of dealing with stress or resources for support. Results did not support the theory which claims parents abuse because they have inadequate knowledge of children or child development. Implications for future research are the necessity of a nationwide study comparing abusive parents and a random sample, more studies of abusive fathers as well as examining the validity of some of the prevailing theories of causality. Implications for the therapist are, that to deal effectively with abusive parents, a multi-dimensional approach is necessary.

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series has reached huge popularity among young adults and as a futureteacher I am concerned about what kind of a message these books send to teenagers. In this essay I arguethat the main character of the book, Edward Cullen, shows signs of an abusive personality and that thesesigns have been romanticized and idealized by the author. I also argue that the fans of Twilight haveromanticized Edward's behavior. I accomplish this by a close reading of the series and other relevantliterature. Edward has the following signs that an abusive person has: jealousy, controlling behavior,quick involvement, isolation, sudden mood changes, threats of violence and force during an argument.These signs the author has romanticized with the imagery that can be found in the books. Also, Meyerportrays Edward as better than everyone else and by doing so she idealizes his character. Edward'sabusive behavior has been interpreted as actions of true love by fans making these patterns of abusivebehavior seem romantic.

Since the 1970s, there have been numerous studies of the personality disorders, and psychological and behavioural characteristics of men who assault their female partners. The goal of these studies has been to describe and better understand potential underlying processes that result in female partner assault. These studies have revealed that men who assault their female partners are not a homogeneous group. They appear to be comprised of subgroups without personality disorders, those with different personality disorders, and differ on psychological and behavioural characteristics. The literature most strongly supports the theoretical typology o f Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994), yet this theoretical typology requires further validation research. This thesis was an empirical test of this typology. The typology was tested by collecting quantitative data on personality disorders and psychological and behavioural characteristics in a large sample of men who assault their female partners, and used statistical procedures to test whether the hypothesized subgroups existed in the sample. The statistical procedure used to test the presence of subgroups was cluster analysis, which can derive groups of individuals within a sample. The differences between possible subgroups identified in the cluster analysis were further tested using standard statistical procedures (discriminant function analysis and analysis of variance). The results of these procedures were compared to the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) theoretical typology and previous research. The findings of the current study failed to support the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) theoretical typology. Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) hypothesized the population of spousal assaulters was comprised of the family-only (50%), the dysphoric-borderline (25%), and the generally violent-antisocial (25%) spousal assaulter. The current study found three groups of spousal assaulters: Low-Level Antisocial (66%), Moderate Pathological (21%), and Severe Pathological (13%). These three groups showed consistent increases across groups in the average number and percentages of personality disorders from the Low Level Antisocial (LLA) to the Moderate Pathological (MP) and Severe Pathological (SP) groups. The increases in the average number and percentages of personality disorders were paralleled by significant increases from the L L A to the M P and SP group in five o f the eight external variables Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) hypothesized spousal assaulters vary upon. The reasons for failure to support the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) typology were differences between the current study and the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) typology on (a) personality disorder types, (b) psychological and behavioural variables, and (c) psychopathology. The current study findings were similar to some previous and more current research findings of (a) some groups of generalized psychopathology, (b) some groups that include a combination o f antisocial and borderline personality disorders, (c) some groups that include narcissistic personality disorder, and (d) some groups that are best described as inbetween the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) family-only and generally violent-antisocial groups. Some of the differences between the current study findings and previous typology research appear to be related to a focus in research on attempting to validate the Holtzworth- Munroe and Stuart (1994) typology. Research prior and subsequent to the development of their model had found the presence of other personality disorders (e.g., narcissistic), yet these findings have not been incorporated into typology models. This is prudent, given that there has not been a great deal o f research on typologies o f men who assault their female partners. Some authors have speculated that differences in typology study findings may be related to differences in study samples (e.g., Gortner, Gollan, & Jacobson, 1997). Due to this possibility, numerous comparisons were made between the current study and previous research on study sample characteristics. Methodological and interpretive issues were reviewed. Although the current study included the highest proportion of First Nations research participants (24.2%) compared to previous research, this group was not different than the rest of the research participants, with one exception. Their higher average number of previous convictions may be related to racial bias in the reporting of crime. A number of future research directions were suggested. The most prominent recommendation is for a large study including the range of samples (e.g., spousal assault treatment and community recruited) that may clarify the differences in previous research and the current study findings.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on January 31, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, page: 3000.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.