Behavioral and Psychological Differences Among Abused Women Who Use Violence in Intimate Relationships

Abstract

This article examines behavioral and psychological differences among women who used violence in four types of relationships. Nearly all of the women experienced physical abuse from their male partners. Types were compared on the extent of childhood abuse experienced, use of avoidance coping, anger, motivations for using violence, injuries, psychological symptoms, and alcohol use. Women in the Victim type (the partner used more physical violence and coercion against her than she against him) and the Abused Aggressor type (the woman used more violence and coercion against the partner than he against her) had the poorest behavioral and psychological indices. Women in Mixed-Female Coercive relationships (the woman’s use as of coercion was equivalent to or greater than her partner, but the partner used as much or more violence) had the fewest difficulties. Scores for women in Mixed-Male Coercive relationships (the partner was more coercive than the woman, but the woman’s use of violence was equivalent to or greater than the partner’s) generally fell in between the other groups.

Intimate Partner Violence in Belgium: Prevalence, Individual Health Outcomes, and Relational Correlates

“…Surveys focusing on the health correlates of IPV victimization among both women and men have suggested that there may be substantial differences in how they experience these violent acts, despite equivalent experiences with IPV (Anderson, 2002). Indeed, a robust finding in these studies is that the health outcomes for victimized women are more adverse than for men (Anderson, 2005;Archer, 2000;Swan & Snow, 2003;Williams & Frieze, 2005). Overall, studies have shown that in the context of heterosexual domestic violence, women are much more likely than men to report physical injuries (e.g., chronic pain syndrome, cuts and bruises, stress-related symptoms; Archer, 2000;Campbell, 2000) and mental health problems (e.g., poor self-reported health, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, feelings such as anger, guilt, shame, and personal distress; Anderson, 2005;Campbell, 2002;Ellsberg et al, 2008;Foa, Cascardi, Zoellner, & Feeny, 2000;Follingstad, 2009;Johnson & Ferraro, 2000;Zlotnick, Johnson, & Kohn, 2006;Williams & Frieze, 2005).…”

“…Overall, studies have shown that in the context of heterosexual domestic violence, women are much more likely than men to report physical injuries (e.g., chronic pain syndrome, cuts and bruises, stress-related symptoms; Archer, 2000;Campbell, 2000) and mental health problems (e.g., poor self-reported health, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, feelings such as anger, guilt, shame, and personal distress; Anderson, 2005;Campbell, 2002;Ellsberg et al, 2008;Foa, Cascardi, Zoellner, & Feeny, 2000;Follingstad, 2009;Johnson & Ferraro, 2000;Zlotnick, Johnson, & Kohn, 2006;Williams & Frieze, 2005). A potential explanation for this effect is that violence directed from women to men is in general less frightening than violence directed from men to women (Swan & Snow, 2003). However, Afifi et al (2009) found an association between a poor mental health and physical IPV for both men and women, although gender differences were noted.…”

A literature review of intimate partner violence and its classifications

“…However, control is often operationalized and measured as a discrete item in addition to other discrete items such as physical, psychological or sexual IPV, rather than as an overarching theme explaining various acts that might be used in a relationship to exert control and to dominate and abuse the victim (Wangmann, 2011). Swan and Snow (2003) acknowledge considering control as a discrete item and the fact that they did not take account of context or impact of coercive acts. Not considering the context and the impact of IPV can lead to misidentification of an action.…”

“…Thirty two percent of the women were in a mixed male coercive relationship and 18% of the women were in mixed female coercive relationships (Swan & Snow, 2003). The women in mixed male coercive relationships were equally or more violent than their male partners, though the partners were more coercive than the women themselves.…”

“…The type B women aggressor were those who used greater levels of severe violence and coercion, but their partner committed equal or more moderate violence and/or emotional abuse. The intention behind the use of IPV for these groups of women was retribution and control (Swan & Snow, 2003).…”