Recent Research on Domestic Violence: What Do Studies Show?

About Abusers

Yet another study indicating that both substance misuse and mental health issues are a significant factor in the lives of abusive men, mental health services and domestic violence services. Rivett, Mark (2006). Editorial: Treatment for perpetrators of domestic violence: controversy in policy and practice. Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health; Dec 2006, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p205-210, 6p

Impact on Victims

Approximately 38% to 85% in various samples of women are experiencing coocurrence of Intimate Partner Abuse and substance abuse, often leading to injury, mental illness and death. Fowler, D. (2007). The Extent of Substance Use Problems Among Women Partner Abuse Survivors Residing in a Domestic Violence Shelter. Family & Community Health; Jan-Mar 2007 Supplement, Vol. 30, pS106-S108, 3p.

Effects on Children

Preschool aged children exposed to domestic violence showed lower verbal functioning and higher internalizing behaviors than did their non-exposed peers. Exposed mothers displayed greater psychological difficulties than did their counterparts. Ybarra, Gabriel, Wilkens, Susan, Lieberman, Alicia (2007). The Influence of Domestic Violence on Preschooler Behavior and Functioning. Journal of Family Violence; Jan2007, Vol. 22 Issue 1, p33-42, 10p.

Child sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as well as child neglect and domestic violence, community violence, and Childhood Traumatic Grief may result in significant and long-lasting emotional and behavioral difficulties. Key points of this review include the following: (1) maltreated and violence-exposed children typically experience more than one of these types of traumas; (2) effective psychosocial treatments are available to address Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in these children; (3) it is likely that treatments which effectively reduce mental health symptoms in children exposed to one type of child maltreatment or violence exposure will also be effective for other or multiple types; and (4) mental health outcomes are not the only important outcomes to address in future treatment or intervention efforts. Cohen, Judith A., Mannarino, Anthony P., Murray, Laura K., Igelman, Robyn (2006). Psychosocial Interventions for Maltreated and Violence-Exposed Children. Journal of Social Issues; Dec2006, Vol. 62 Issue 4, p737-766, 30p

Ethnic and Cultural Issues

A study revealed no significant differences with regard to the nature and severity of the domestic violence between Latina and non-Latina women, but results indicated that Latina women who had been victims of domestic violence had significantly greater trauma-related symptoms, depression, lower social and personal self-esteem, and were less likely to make global attributions for positive events than were non-Latina women. They also reported more parenting stress due to their child's behaviors than did non-Latina women.Edelson, Meredyth, Hokoda, Audrey, Ramos-Lira, Luciana (2007). Journal of Family Violence; Jan2007, Vol. 22 Issue 1, p1-10 In a study investigating the relationship between dispositional aggression and attitudes toward domestic violence in one sample of African American young adults, researchers found that individuals who reported high levels of physical aggression were more positive about wife beating and were less punitive in their judgments of batterers. In addition, analysis of scores on the Aggression Questionairre (AQ) and the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife Beating (IBWB) also demonstrated important gender differences on both scales. Wesley, L. Craig-Henderson, K. (2006). An Exploratory Study of the Relationship Between Dispositional Aggression and Judgments About Batterers Among African American Adults: Does More of the Former Influence the Latter? Journal of Family Violence; Nov2006, Vol. 21 Issue 8, p487-495

Lethality Assessment

A new five-level classificatory schema or typology detailing the duration and severity of woman battering and a new classification typology ranging from short-term to chronic to homicidal levels has been proposed. The current research on different types of battering relationships provides clinicians and forensic specialists with psychosocial indicators that can be utilized as a basis for early intervention and prevention of lethal consequences. Roberts, Albert (2006). Classification Typology and Assessment of Five Levels of Woman Battering. Journal of Family Violence; Nov2006, Vol. 21 Issue 8, p521-527, 7p

Responses to Domestic Violence

The effectiveness of healthcare worker screenings for victims of domestic violence is deeply related to workers perceived capacity to screen and positive beliefs about screening, along with the presence of an organizational climate for implementation. For healthcare providers to engage in routine screening practices, administration should address consequences for implementation or failure to implement, resources to support implementation, and policies and procedures consistent with desired practices. Allen, Nicole E., Lehrner, Amy, Mattison, Erica, Miles, Teresa, Russell, Angela (2007). Promoting systems change in the health care response to domestic violence. Journal of Community Psychology; Jan2007, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p103-120, 18p