Patterns of Women's Aggression Against Partners and Others: Broadening Our Understanding of Violence

Abstract

Research on women's aggression typically focuses on relational aggression. However, the study of violence must include multiple forms of violence such as aggression against partners and non-partner others, while also considering victimization experiences by partners and non-partners. The focus of this study is the multiple experiences of violence (perpetration and victimization) of women who are incarcerated. Incarcerated women are likely to experience higher rates of both than women in community settings, but most will be released in a brief period of time. Using a random sample (N = 580) we conducted cluster analyses to identify five patterns of women's aggression. Clusters varied depending on the target/s of aggression (i.e., partner and/or others), and type of aggression (i.e., physical and/or intimidation). Multinomial logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between women's membership in a perpetration cluster and their victimization. Victimization history was related to an increased risk of perpetrating aggression, and varied depending on the target and type of aggression. Our findings provide support that research and interventions addressing women's use of aggression must also address their victimization history. Furthermore, results indicate that for some women, aggression towards partners and others is related. Future research should investigate multiple forms of aggression.

Characteristics and Context of Women Probationers and Parolees Who Engage in Violence

“…Research on both women in prison and prospective studies of individuals maltreated as children support a link between childhood abuse and women’s violence. For incarcerated women in several states (Texas, Michigan, and Oklahoma), histories of childhood and adult victimization were related to their violence in the community (Byrd & Davis, 2009; McClellan, Farabee, & Crouch, 1997; Rivera, Kubiak, & Bybee, 2014). Also, women in federal prison in 1991 and 1997 with more serious abuse histories acted more violently than others while they were incarcerated (Steiner & Wooldredge, 2009).…”

Trajectories of victimization to violence among incarcerated women

“…ACEs have been shown to increase the risk of women’s IPV both directly and indirectly (Allen et al, 2009 ; Kubiak et al, 2017 ; Dowd et al, 2005 ; Kernsmith, 2006 ; Rivera et al, 2014 ; Siegel & Williams, 2003 ; Sullivan et al, 2005 ). Kruttschnitt et al ( 2002 ) found a direct correlation between childhood physical abuse and adult female perpetrated IPV.…”

An Experimental Study of a Peer-Facilitated Violence Prevention Program for Women in Prison

“…However, IPV and victimization during the life course are not isolated incidents in women’s lives. Often victimization becomes a pattern for women, occurring in childhood, repeated from relationship to relationship, and then a contributing factor to the use of aggression toward partners and others (Kubiak et al, 2017; Rivera et al, 2014; Saxena & Messina, accepted ).…”