When the Cop Is the Victim: A Test of Target Congruence Theory on Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Experienced by Police Officers

Abstract

This study analyzed data from the Police Stress and Domestic Violence in Police Families in Baltimore, Maryland, 1997-1999 ( N = 753) to examine propositions derived from target congruence theory in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization experienced by police officers. Specifically, this study tested the influence of target vulnerability, target gratifiability, and target antagonism on IPV victimization. Results from logistic regression models showed that all three theoretical constructs positively and significantly predicted IPV victimization. Results, as well as the study's limitations and directions for future research, are discussed.

Stalking on Campus: A Gendered Perspective on Target Congruence and Opportunity

“…Although tests of the theory are few, target congruence has found support as a theory of personal victimization (e.g., Finkelhor & Asdigian, 1996; O & Wilcox, 2017; Sween & Reyns, 2017; Waldner & Berg, 2008; Zavala, 2017). For example, Finkelhor and Asdigian (1996) found that variables representing all three of the core concepts—such as psychological distress (vulnerability) and risky behavior (antagonism)—predicted youth victimization (Finkelhor & Asdigian, 1996).…”

“…Despite its applicability to personal forms of victimization, target congruence theory has not been extensively tested. Indeed, it has been applied to only a handful of types of victimization (e.g., antigay violence, intimate partner violence, sexual victimization, youth victimization), but with promising results (Elvey, 2016; Finkelhor & Asdigian, 1996; Sween & Reyns, 2017; Waldner & Berg, 2008; Zavala, 2017). To date, no research has tested the theory as an explanation for stalking victimization.…”

Explaining Victimization Experienced by Latinas: A Test of Target Congruence Theory

“…The current study will examine the respondent's level of anger and immigration status, all of which can reasonably ignite anger, jealousy, and other adverse impulses from the perpetrator. For instance, in regard to anger, there is the possibility that a person's angry outburst can arouse the anger of the offender, leading to the likelihood of victimization (see, Zavala, 2017). Similarly, a Latina may be personally victimized on the grounds of their immigration status as in the form of a hate crime.…”

“…Creating a combined victimization variable with physical violence, stalking, and threats is potentially problematic because these distinct and separate incidents may have different, unique covariates. The majority of research testing target congruence theory use physical victimization as their dependent variable Finkelhor & Asdigian, 1996;Sween & Reyns, 2017;Zavala, 2017). 5.…”

“…How suitable a target can be is based on the target's vulnerability (e.g., a victim's inability to defend themselves), gratifiability (e.g., the victim may have something the offender needs), and antagonism (e.g., the victim may incite the offender's anger; Finkelhor & Asdigian, 1996). 1 A review of the literature demonstrates that the theory has modestly predicted criminal behaviors such as antigay violence (Waldner & Berg, 2008), stalking , intimate partner violence (IPV; Sween & Reyns, 2017;Zavala, 2017;Zavala & Guadalupe-Diaz, 2018), sexual assault , student-to-teacher victimization (O & Wilcox, 2017), victimization of youth (Augustine et al, 2002;Zavala & Whitney, 2019), cyber victimization (Hawdon et al, 2017), and overall criminal behavior (Zavala, 2018). While these studies have provided a strong foundation for the theory, there are still several areas for research.…”