Characteristics of Female Perpetrators and Victims of Dating Violence

• NCJ Number: 198413
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 593-606
• Author(s): Sarah F. Lewis; Laura Travea; William J. Fremouw
• Date Published: October 2002
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study sought to determine variables that discriminate violent females from nonviolent females in dating relationships.

Abstract

Study participants were 300 undergraduate women enrolled at West Virginia University. Participants were asked about interpersonal violence that occurred in any of their dating relationships of at least 3 months duration that occurred in the previous 18 months. The study distinguished four types of females by their behavior in dating relationships: nonviolent, bi-directional aggression, perpetrator-only aggression, and victim-only aggression. This separation of the women into one of four categories permitted the investigation of distinct types of violent behavior and the obtaining of information on their experience of victimization. The variables measured were interparental aggression, self-esteem, love styles, and alcohol use. The instruments used to measure these variables were the Conflict Tactic Scale, the Social Desirability Scale, the Khavari Alcohol Test, the Love Attitudes Scale, and the Self-esteem Inventory. Thirty-one percent of the women were using aggression or experiencing aggression in their romantic relationships. Although some females identified themselves as a victim (8 percent) or perpetrator-only (7 percent), the majority of violent females classified themselves as having experienced bi-directional aggression (16 percent). Of the subsample of those who had experienced violence, 53 percent reported bi-directional aggression, 21 percent were perpetrator-only, and 22 percent were victims of dating violence. Females in the bi-directional aggression group were more likely to have witnessed their father abuse their mother and scored significantly lower on a measure of self-esteem than nonviolent controls. Females in the control group produced higher scores on a measure of mature and selfless love style than did the victim or perpetrator-only participants. There were no significant group differences regarding general alcohol consumption. Implications are drawn for prevention and psychological intervention. 3 tables and 41 references