Factors Associated with Domestic Abuse
Studying the factors that are common traits among abusers and are associated with domestic abuse help to inform how to effectively structure and develop intervention programs. Identifying common risk factors, also allows therapists to identify clients that may be experiencing domestic abuse.
Reviewing data from ten different countries, Abramsky et al. (2011) used the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence to identify common factors that were consistently associated with domestic abuse. The Abramsky et al. (2011) study found many factors that affected the risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). The following factors were analyzed:
1.) Education
-Completing secondary education for either one of the partners lowered the risk of IPV in the relationship. The lowest risk of IPV was found, however, when both partners completed secondary education.
2.) History of Abuse in the Family
-If there was a history of abuse (where abuse happened previously with either partner's parents), then there was a strong association for domestic abuse to occur again. Risk for IPV was found to be higher still when both the victim's and the perpetrator's mothers experienced abuse. Childhood physical and sexual abuse were also found to be strongly associated with domestic abuse later in life as compared to reports of not being abused during childhood. Greater associations were found if both partners experienced childhood abuse.
3.) Demographics
-Younger ages of women in relationships, as well as older ages of women in relationships, were strongly associated with risk of IPV. There was no relationship found pertaining to the men's age. Employment status was not found to have any associations on IPV for either men or women. However, higher socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with a lower risk for IPV. Race, religion, and culture were not looked at as possible factors in this study.
4.) Attitudes toward IPV
-If women had an attitude that was supportive of a husband beating his wife, that is physical punishment was considered acceptable, then there was an increased risk for IPV.
5.) Alcohol Consumption
-Risk for IPV was higher in relationships where one or both partners reported having problems with alcohol consumption. Risk for IPV was also increased in men when problematic drinking was involved.
6.) Non-Partner Violence
-Violence with people outside of the relationship yielded a higher risk of violence and abuse for both men and women within the relationship.
7.) Other Relationships
-The study found that women who had children from previous relationships were more at risk of IPV. Additionally, men who were not faithful in their current relationship, were at greater risk of committing IPV.
8.) Characteristics of the Union (married/unmarried, cohabitation/living apart)
-Unmarried women not living with their partner were at a lower risk of IPV than cohabitating unmarried women. Relationships lasting five or fewer years were at greater risk than longer relationships. Formal marriage offered more protection from risk of IPV than unmarried relationships according to the study.
These results indicate factors that may influence the risk of domestic abuse between partners. Prevention and intervention programs as well as treatment plans should address the factors that increase the risk of IPV, such as harmful drinking and lenient attitudes towards abuse. Additionally, future domestic abuse may be reduced by increasing access to education for children, treating childhood abuse more effectively, and providing education about domestic abuse.
Reviewing data from ten different countries, Abramsky et al. (2011) used the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence to identify common factors that were consistently associated with domestic abuse. The Abramsky et al. (2011) study found many factors that affected the risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). The following factors were analyzed:
1.) Education
-Completing secondary education for either one of the partners lowered the risk of IPV in the relationship. The lowest risk of IPV was found, however, when both partners completed secondary education.
2.) History of Abuse in the Family
-If there was a history of abuse (where abuse happened previously with either partner's parents), then there was a strong association for domestic abuse to occur again. Risk for IPV was found to be higher still when both the victim's and the perpetrator's mothers experienced abuse. Childhood physical and sexual abuse were also found to be strongly associated with domestic abuse later in life as compared to reports of not being abused during childhood. Greater associations were found if both partners experienced childhood abuse.
3.) Demographics
-Younger ages of women in relationships, as well as older ages of women in relationships, were strongly associated with risk of IPV. There was no relationship found pertaining to the men's age. Employment status was not found to have any associations on IPV for either men or women. However, higher socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with a lower risk for IPV. Race, religion, and culture were not looked at as possible factors in this study.
4.) Attitudes toward IPV
-If women had an attitude that was supportive of a husband beating his wife, that is physical punishment was considered acceptable, then there was an increased risk for IPV.
5.) Alcohol Consumption
-Risk for IPV was higher in relationships where one or both partners reported having problems with alcohol consumption. Risk for IPV was also increased in men when problematic drinking was involved.
6.) Non-Partner Violence
-Violence with people outside of the relationship yielded a higher risk of violence and abuse for both men and women within the relationship.
7.) Other Relationships
-The study found that women who had children from previous relationships were more at risk of IPV. Additionally, men who were not faithful in their current relationship, were at greater risk of committing IPV.
8.) Characteristics of the Union (married/unmarried, cohabitation/living apart)
-Unmarried women not living with their partner were at a lower risk of IPV than cohabitating unmarried women. Relationships lasting five or fewer years were at greater risk than longer relationships. Formal marriage offered more protection from risk of IPV than unmarried relationships according to the study.
These results indicate factors that may influence the risk of domestic abuse between partners. Prevention and intervention programs as well as treatment plans should address the factors that increase the risk of IPV, such as harmful drinking and lenient attitudes towards abuse. Additionally, future domestic abuse may be reduced by increasing access to education for children, treating childhood abuse more effectively, and providing education about domestic abuse.
(Abramsky et al., 2011)