ERIC Number: EJ914816
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2003-Jun
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0361-6843
EISSN: N/A
Toward a Typology of Abusive Women: Differences between Partner-Only and Generally Violent Women in the Use of Violence
Babcock, Julia C.; Miller, Sarah A.; Siard, Cheryl
Psychology of Women Quarterly, v27 n2 p153-161 Jun 2003
Based on previous typologies of domestically violent men (Holtzworth-Munroe & Stuart, 1994), women who were referred to a treatment agency for abusive behavior (N = 52) were categorized into two groups based on the breadth of their use of violence: Partner-Only (PO) and Generally Violent (GV). PO women were hypothesized to use reactive violence, for example, out of fear or in self-defense, whereas GV women were hypothesized to use instrumental violence, that is, in order to exert control. Self-defense was assessed in three different ways and convergent validity was demonstrated for these three new measures. GV women reported using instrumental violence more than PO women, in a variety of situations. GV women tended to report more traumatic symptoms than PO women, although they did not experience significantly more abuse. GV women were more likely to witness their mothers' physical aggression. Thus, we theorize that GV women have been socialized to believe that it is acceptable for women to use violence to resolve conflict. Trauma history and violent socialization should be addressed clinically. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Violence, Aggression, Females, Validity, Classification, Referral, Therapy, Interpersonal Relationship, Family Violence, Measures (Individuals), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Conflict Resolution, Socialization
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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