Complexity of Male Violence: Some Psychological Factors and Their Treatment Implications

• NCJ Number: 199208
• Journal: Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2002 Pages: 7-18
• Author(s): Jac Brown; Kerrie James; Elizabeth Seddon
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In order to gain a better understanding of a sample of male perpetrators of domestic violence, this Australian study obtained information on 123 men over a 2-year period who were participating in a group program because of their violence toward their female partners.

Abstract

The study involved both quantitative and qualitative components. This article reports on the quantitative study by considering the interrelationships among a range of psychological characteristics of the men, family-of-origin issues, and attitudes toward women. Of particular interest was the identification of the key factors of depression, insecure attachment, locus of control, punishment or abuse as a child, and attitudes toward women in the prediction of violent behavior. The instruments used to obtain information were the Adult Attachment Scale, the Family of Origin Scale, the Primary Communication Scale, the Internal Control Index, the Abusive Behavior Inventory, and the Bias in Attitudes Survey. Many of the men were both perpetrators of domestic violence and victims of abuse by their parents in their own childhood. The men's inability to relate their own experiences of abuse to their violent behavior seemed to restrain them from acknowledging both the fact of and the impact of their abusive and violent behavior toward their partner. This acknowledgment is a first step toward accomplishing one of the major goals of most treatment programs, i.e., taking responsibility for one's violent behavior. This study also identified a major difference between men who perpetrate intimidation and punishment ("PUNISH"), those who dominate and degrade ("DEGRADE"), and those who attack and damage ("DAMAGE"). The former two groups were more likely to be anxiously attached or more concerned about abandonment, and the latter group was more likely to hold negative attitudes toward women. The main implication of these findings for treatment is that treatment programs must address men's fear of abandonment and their negative attitudes toward women. 6 tables and 37 references