Examination of Sex Differences and Type of Violence Exposure in a Mediation Model of Family Violence

• NCJ Number: 223670
• Journal: Journal of Emotional Abuse Volume: 8 Issue: 1/2 Dated: 2008 Pages: 123-138
• Author(s): Nicolette L. Howells; Alan Rosenbaum
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Since previous research has identified depression and aggression as a consequence of exposure to violence in the home, this study examined depression as a mediator between experiencing family violence and aggression for male and female college students (n=360).

Abstract

The study found that depressive symptoms acted as a partial mediator between experiencing exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) or direct physical abuse as a child (CPA) and aggression. This suggests that depression may be a partial mediator for both generalized and peer aggression. Females showed a stronger relationship between depressive symptoms and aggression than males; however, females were more likely to exhibit indirect aggression compared with males, who favored direct aggression. Contrary to expectations, those who had experienced exposure to both IPV and direct CPA did not report higher levels of depressive symptomatology and aggression than the CPA victim-only group; and the witness IPV-only group was not significantly different than the no-exposure to IPV group. This suggests that experiencing CPA may be more important than witnessing IPV as regards negative outcomes for exposure to family violence; however, the findings suggest that if a child witnesses IPV in the home, there is a greater likelihood that they may also experience personal CPA victimization. Study participants were 360 students (197 males and 163 females) enrolled in Introduction to Psychology at a large midwestern university. Experiencing family violence was measured with the physical assault and injury scales of the Conflict Tactics Scale-Revised, and The Beck Depression Inventory was used to obtained self-reports on the characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression. The Aggression Questionnaire measured four aspects of aggression: physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. 4 tables and 53 references