Exposure to Threatening and Violent Behaviour Among Single Mothers: The Significance of Lifestyle, Neighbourhood and Welfare Situation

• NCJ Number: 206491
• Journal: British Journal of Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 168-187
• Author(s): Felipe Estrada; Anders Nilsson
• Date Published: March 2004
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined violent victimization among single mothers.

Abstract

Victimization surveys have consistently shown that single mothers suffer a disproportionate amount of victimization compared with other social groups. The current study examined single mothers’ exposure to violence by analyzing responses from the Annual Survey of Living Conditions (ULF) conducted by Statistics Sweden. The sample analyzed for the current study included 55,327 individuals between the ages of 16 and 84 years; 1,713 of these individuals were single mothers with a youngest child of no more than 17 years. The survey collected demographic information and data concerning lifestyle, and also included questions regarding degrees of violence experienced, experience of repeat victimization, and location of violent event. The analysis focused on the extent to which participation in public entertainment, residential neighborhood, and resource deficiencies at the individual level can predict violent victimization among single mothers. Results of statistical analyses revealed findings consistent with previous research: single mothers experience a disproportionate level of violent victimization in comparison with other social groups. Differences between single mothers and the rest of the population were particularly high with regards to violent victimization experienced in the home and experiences of repeat victimization. Differences that emerged within the sample of single mothers indicated that levels of individual welfare resources are predictive of violence among single mothers; those who rely on welfare are more likely to experience violent victimization. Thus, the main conclusion emerging from the study is that differences in levels of exposure to violence, both within the group of single mothers and between the single mothers and other women, are related to levels of welfare resources. Policy implications are discussed. Tables, references