Background, Stressful Events, Dyadic Adjustment, and Psychological Dimensions as Predictors of Intimate Violence

• NCJ Number: 196436
• Journal: Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2002 Pages: 7-12
• Author(s): Marie-France Lafontaine Ph.D.; Yvan Lussier Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 6 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effects of violence in the family of origin, stressful events (pregnancy and couple separation), dyadic adjustment, and psychological distress on domestic violence for men and women who were married or cohabiting.

Abstract

A total of 316 French-Canadian couples from a representative sample completed a demographic questionnaire, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Psychological Symptoms Index, and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales. The demographic questionnaire assessed violence in the family of origin (child psychological, physical, and sexual abuse; child witnessing of parental psychological and physical violence), and stressful events (pregnancy and couple separation) during the last 12 months. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale measured the quality of the participants' marital relationship, and the short version of the Psychological Symptom Index measured psychological distress. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales measured intimate violence. Of the total sample, 64.5 percent of the women reported that their male partners were psychologically abusive toward them, and 10 percent of the women reported physical violence by their male partners. Similarly, 62 percent of the men reported psychological violence by their female partners, and 11.6 percent of the men reported physical violence by their female partners. The cohabiting participants reported more violence than the married respondents. Sexual abuse during childhood, being a new parent, and lower dyadic and psychological adjustment were shown to be valid predictors of male and female use of intimate violence as reported by their partners. The study showed that relational patterns between these variables and intimate violence differed according to the type of abuse (psychological or physical), gender, and type of relationship. Prevention and treatment programs should take these differences into account. 2 tables and 35 references