A Review of the Literature on Masculinity and Partner Violence.

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in examining aspects of masculinity as potential predictors of partner violence. This review critically examined the literature on the relationship between masculinity and partner violence. Four distinct approaches to operationalizing masculinity were identified: trait approach, normative approach, gender role conflict approach, and indirect approach. Results generally supported a relationship between each domain of masculinity and partner violence, with the exception of the trait approach. Implications for future research include the importance of examining socialization processes in the development of masculinity and partner violence, being sensitive to methods for operationalizing masculinity, using a greater proportion of clinical samples of violent men, and testing masculine-related components of interventions to reduce partner violence.

Interpersonal- and Community-Level Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among African American Men

“…13 Given the multiple negative health and economic costs of IPV, it is important to examine factors associated with male perpetration of IPV towards female partners. Previous research has indicated that attitudes towards IPV are an important predictor of male perpetration of partner violence [14][15][16] across societies and cultures. 15 Men who are violent towards their wives are more likely to have attitudes accepting violence and are more likely to approve of marital violence.…”

Perceptions and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Among Hispanic College Students

“…Sugihara and Warner (2002) suggested that for some Mexican American men, aggressive behavior toward a partner may reflect an inability to adapt to changing gender roles. The assumption is supported by research on masculinity, gender-role stress, and violence perpetrated by men (Jakupcak et al, 2002;Moore & Stuart, 2005). In particular, the violence displayed by lower income men, severe enough to injure a partner, may emanate from intense anger or rage in the face of discrimination and prejudice against Latino men in the United States (Sugihara & Warner, 2002).…”

“…In a review of the literature on masculinity and partner violence, Moore and Stuart (2005) found that the relationship depended on how masculinity is operationalized. About half the studies used collegestudent samples.…”

“…Jakupcak et al (2002) and Moore and Stuart (2005) focused on men in their research on masculinity and violence. Próspero's analyses illustrated that the relationships between masculinity and violence also extends to women with a masculine profile.…”

“…According to Moore and Stuart (2005) ideology. An interesting finding was that the combination of high masculine ideology and low gender-role stress decreased tendencies toward aggression and violence.…”