Differences in Female and Male Victims and Perpetrators of Partner Violence With Respect to WEB Scores

• NCJ Number: 237078
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 1041-1055
• Author(s): Debra Houry; Karin V. Rhodes; Robin S. Kemball; Lorie Click; Catherine Cerulli; Louise Anne McNutt; Nadine J. Kaslow
• Date Published: August 2008
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): R49-423003; K23-069375
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institutes of Health; Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The objective of this research was to compare differences in women and men within each IPV status category (victim, perpetrator, and both) with respect to levels of battering as defined by their scores on the Women's Experience With Battering Scale (WEB).

Abstract

Measurements of intimate partner violence (IPV) based on acts of violence have repeatedly found substantial bilateral violence between intimates. However, the context of this violence is not well defined by acts alone. The objective of this research was to compare differences in women and men within each IPV status category (victim, perpetrator, and both) with respect to levels of battering as defined by their scores on the Women's Experience With Battering Scale (WEB), which asks gender-neutral questions about the abuse of power and control and fear in an intimate relationship. In this study, women disclosed higher levels of battering on the WEB, despite IPV status (victimization or both victimization and perpetration). In addition, female IPV victims were five times more likely than their male counterparts to disclose high rates of battering on the WEB. Depressive symptoms, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, African-American race, and IPV victimization were independently associated with higher WEB scores. (Published Abstract)