Intimate Partner Violence Among Male and Female U.S. Community College Students

Intimate Partner Violence Among Male and Female U.S. Community College Students By Shakiera Benson MHA, Webster University, 2007 BS, Morris College, 2003 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University December 2017 Abstract Intimate partner violence affects a significant portion of college-aged individuals, but researchers know little about how the intersection of age, race, class, and gender influence intimate partner violence among community college students in the United States. In this quantitative correlational study, I examined the relationship between intimate partner violence and gender, race, age, class, marital status, and past abuse among community college students using the intersectionality theory. I used the Abusive Behavior Inventory and a demographic survey to collect data via a convenience sample of the target population of men (n = 220) and women (n = 330) attending a community college or recent graduates. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated although no demographic variables were related to the frequency of psychological violence, lower age and higher socioeconomic status were related to increased frequency of physical violence. Individuals aged 18–24 were more likely than other groups to experience physical violence (t = -2.73, p = .008), and individuals with higher income levels (larger than $50,000) were more likely than individuals in other socioeconomic statuses to experience physical violence (t = 1.99, p = .049). The implications for positive social change include generating data regarding the potential predictive demographic factors that influence intimate partner violence, which may help professional’s complete interventions that address intimate partner violence among community college students. More targeted interventions could reduce the rate of intimate partner violence and the long-term effects of intimate partner violence, particularly among the unexpected populations affected by intimate partner violence, as I indicated.Intimate partner violence affects a significant portion of college-aged individuals, but researchers know little about how the intersection of age, race, class, and gender influence intimate partner violence among community college students in the United States. In this quantitative correlational study, I examined the relationship between intimate partner violence and gender, race, age, class, marital status, and past abuse among community college students using the intersectionality theory. I used the Abusive Behavior Inventory and a demographic survey to collect data via a convenience sample of the target population of men (n = 220) and women (n = 330) attending a community college or recent graduates. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated although no demographic variables were related to the frequency of psychological violence, lower age and higher socioeconomic status were related to increased frequency of physical violence. Individuals aged 18–24 were more likely than other groups to experience physical violence (t = -2.73, p = .008), and individuals with higher income levels (larger than $50,000) were more likely than individuals in other socioeconomic statuses to experience physical violence (t = 1.99, p = .049). The implications for positive social change include generating data regarding the potential predictive demographic factors that influence intimate partner violence, which may help professional’s complete interventions that address intimate partner violence among community college students. More targeted interventions could reduce the rate of intimate partner violence and the long-term effects of intimate partner violence, particularly among the unexpected populations affected by intimate partner violence, as I indicated. Intimate Partner Violence Among Male and Female U.S. Community College Students by Shakiera Benson MHA, Webster University, 2007 BS, Morris College, 2003 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University December 2017 Dedication This research is dedicated to my beloved Grandmother Lue Ellen Housey. You encouraged me to go as high as I can go in education, as soon as I finished up one degree you were sitting me down and telling me a story about earning the highest “sheepskin” I can obtain. Well, Grandma, it was not an easy road, but I did it, I am now a part of the elite Ph.D.’s. I miss you, I miss all of your words of encouragement and all of your prayers, and you will forever be a hero in my eyes. I now feel a sense of relief that you will fly high and proud, bragging on as you have always; well-done Shakiera, well done. Acknowledgments This study marks an ending and beginning of many journeys. I would like to acknowledge and thank the many people who have encouraged me and helped me throughout the process of earning this degree. I would like to start off with my chair Peter B. Anderson, from the moment I spoke to you on the phone I knew that I was in for a real challenge. You provoked strength and determination in me that I did not know existed and I thank you for that. Curt G. Sobolewski, I thank you for your passion and expertise during the proposal; your excitement and questions encouraged me to think about longterm research outcomes and preventive practice in education. What I have taken from this committee is to focus beyond a topic, I now think about theory, future researchers, practitioners, and most important outcomes. Finally, I would like to thank Family and Friends. Thank you, mom, for getting the girls every Wednesday so that I can focus on my weekly goals; you are amazing and the reason behind my research topic. You are a survivor of intimate partner violence on every level, and I want you to know you drive me to make changes surrounding this issue. I love you, and I am proud of the changes you have made toward overcoming victimization. My words of affirmation to you are, your voice matters, your pain matters, and your process matters and most of all, it was you who decided that the violence was enough to leave. You hold power to your future, may blessing fall abundantly over your new marriage, happy first Anniversary. Thank you to my husband, you are truly made of steel. I am deeply appreciative of every time you went beyond your husband and father duties to allow me to work on my research. I love you, and I am grateful to have had you present through this process. Special acknowledgments go to one of my dearest friends J. Brooks. We went from a working and extremely formal relationship to spending vacations together so that we can break away from writing. Words cannot express my gratitude for your patience and guidance, I am grateful to know you and call you my friend. We did it! Thanks to the primary site and my co-workers who I have asked to read sections of my proposal and full dissertation over and over again so, that I can meet my quarterly goals. Now I will pay it forward and help others that need that extra push.