NCJ Number
224327
Journal
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: 2008 Pages: 59-79
Date Published
2008
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study used an empirically based model of family functioning (Circumplex Model) in examining male intimate-partner abusers’ perceptions for their functioning in family relationships and current partner/spouse relationships.
Abstract
The study identified four groups of intimately violent men. Group 1 (n=19) reported chronic distress and serious psychological problems characterized by emotional instability, anxiety/worry, anger, depression, low self-esteem, dependency, impulsivity, irritability, and interpersonal insensitivity. Group 2 (n=24) exhibited strong antisocial features as the predominant psychological/behavioral feature. Group 3 exhibited some characteristics similar to Group 1, such as chronic and serious psychological problems, emotional instability, intense anxiety, and interpersonal problems; however, they were distinct from the other groups by the presence of strong psychotic features. For Group 4 (n=26), all scales were within normal limits on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2). Fifty-four percent of this group engaged in mild-moderate partner violence, and 46 percent (n=12) engaged in severe partner violence. Eighty percent engaged in family-only violence, and 15.4 percent reported exposure to family of origin violence. The fifth group was composed of nonintimately violent men who were on probation for nonviolent crimes. Results indicated that male partner abusers with more severe psychopathology (Groups 1, 2, and 3) reported greater relationship distress, discord, conflict, and emotional disengagement than those men with less psychopathology (Group 4). The final sample consisted of 126 participants who were on probation for either violence against their partner (n=100) or a nonpartner-violent offense. The study compared four male partner abuser types derived from profile interpretation of the MMPI-2, the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, and the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III. 3 tables and 46 references