NCJ Number
213720
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 63-81
Date Published
2005
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study compared the personality profiles of 78 women referred by the courts to a domestic violence diversion program with those of a matched sample of 78 men referred to the same program.
Abstract
The women were more likely than the men to have elevated histrionic, narcissistic, and compulsive personality traits, and they were less likely to have dependant personality traits. In addition, the women were more likely than the men to have personality disorders. Histrionic and narcissistic personality traits suggest a disregard for other's thoughts and/or emotions, with a tendency to view others as being there for their own needs and uses. When such needs are not met, both histrionic and narcissistic individuals may act out their feelings of anger and rage in physical violence. Physical violence may be used to regain control when other methods are unsuccessful. The findings suggest that treatment methods for women perpetrators of violence against their partners should include attention to improving their interpersonal coping skills and their ability to regulate emotions. Study participants received treatment between 1999 and 2004 in the diversion program provided at the Community Service Clinic of the University of Texas at Arlington. At intake, all program participants were administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), which identifies various types and severity of personality disorders. Individual subscales that met clinical significance for personality style and personality disorder were compared by using frequencies and percentages; and the mean comparisons were tested by using the individual sample two-way t test to determine differences in the overall profiles of the participants. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 43 references