bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partner Violence and Sexual HIV-Risk Behaviors Among Women in an Inner-City Emergency Department
Authors: El-Bassel Nabila , Gilbert Louisa , Krishnan Satya , Schilling Robert F. , Gaeta Theodore , Purpura Stacey , Witte Susan S.
Published: September 2018

This study examines the relationship between partner violence and sexual risk behaviors in a sample of predominantly Latina and African American women who sought medical care from a New York City hospital emergency department. Eligibility criteria selected women between the ages of 18 and 55, who were sexually active in the past 90 days, and were triaged to nonemergency care. The interview addressed demographics, partner violence, childhood abuse, sexual behavior, and drug and alcohol use. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between partner violence and history of having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and of having sex with a risky partner. Nearly one half of the 143 respondents (46.1 %, n = 66) reported that they had experienced physical, sexual, or life-threatening abuse by a boyfriend or spouse in the past and 17.5% reported that abuse had occurred within the past year. In the univariate analyses, abused women were more likely than nonabused women to report having had an STD; engaging in sex with a risky partner; having more than one sexual partner; and being tested for HIV. After controlling for confounding variables, abused women were almost five times more likely than their counterparts to have reported an STD and four times more likely to engage in sex with a risky sexual partner. The relationship between partner violence and sexual risk behaviors among women seeking treatment in an emergency department suggests the need for the development of HIV-risk reduction strategies that address the needs of women in abusive relationships.
Psychological Abuse: A Variable Deserving Critical Attention in Domestic Violence
Authors: O’Leary K. Daniel
Published: September 2018

Policy makers and researchers give psychological abuse considerably less attention than physical abuse in the partner abuse area. One reason for the relative neglect of psychological abuse is that there are difficulties in arriving at a common definition of psychological abuse that might be useful to both the mental health and legal professions. Another reason for the relative neglect of psychological abuse has been an implicit assumption that physical abuse exacts a greater psychological toll on victims than does psychological abuse. At the extreme level of physical abuse, this assumption seems defensible, but at levels of physical aggression that are most common in marriage and long-term relationships, psychological abuse appears to have as great an impact as physical abuse. Even direct ratings of psychological and physical abuse by women in physically abusive relationships indicate that psychological abuse has a greater adverse effect on them than physical abuse. Retrospective reports, longitudinal research, and treatment dropout research all provide evidence that psychological abuse can exact a negative effect on relationships that is as great as that of physical abuse. Finally, psychological abuse almost always precedes physical abuse, so that prevention and treatment efforts clearly need to address psychological abuse. Eight measures of various forms of psychological abuse that have reasonable psychometric properties and considerable construct validity are reviewed and a definition of psychological abuse in intimate relations is provided.
Psychological Abuse: Implications for Adjustment and Commitment to Leave Violent Partners
Authors: Arias Ileana , Pape Karen T.
Published: September 2018

The contribution of psychological abuse, beyond that of physical abuse, to battered women’s psychological adjustment and their intentions to terminate their abusive relationships was examined. Sixty-eight battered women residing in shelters for battered women provided information on their: (1) physical and psychological abuse; (2) psychological symptomatology; (3) strategies for coping with and perceptions of control over partner violence; and (4) intentions to return to their abusive partners. Multiple regression analyses indicated that frequency and severity of physical abuse was not a significant predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology nor of women’s intentions to terminate their abusive relationships. However, psychological abuse was a significant predictor of both PTSD symptomatology and intentions to permanently leave abusive partners even after controlling for the effects of physical abuse. PTSD symptomatology moderated the relationship between psychological abuse and intentions to terminate the abusive relationships: resolve to leave the abusive partner as a function of level of psychological abuse was significant only among women characterized by low levels of PTSD symptomatology. Greater use of emotion-focused coping strategies, absolutely and relative to problem-focused coping, had direct effects on PTSD symptomatology. However, neither coping nor perceptions of control moderated the effects of psychological abuse on psychological adjustment. The results of the investigation suggested that psychological abuse and ensuing PTSD symptomatology are important variables to assess among physically battered women.
Mothers Who Killed or Attempted to Kill Their Child: Life Circumstances, Childhood Abuse, and Types of Killing
Authors: Haapasalo Jaana , Petäjä Sonja
Published: September 2018

The objectives of the present study were to examine the life circumstances, childhood abuse, and types of homicidal acts of 48 mothers who killed/attempted to kill their children) under age 12 between 1970-96 in Finland. Data on the mothers’ life stresses, psychological problems, and childhood abuse were collected from mental state examination (MSE) reports. The cases were divided into 15 neonaticides and 33 mothers who killed an older child. Childhood abuse was documented in 63% of the mothers’ MSE reports. Qualitative analysis identified neonaticides, joint homicide-suicide attempts, impulsive aggression, psychotic acts, postpartum depression, and abusive acts. Nonlinear principal components analysis showed that different variables were related to the neonaticide and non-neonaticide cases. We concluded that despite differences in the psychosocial profiles of neonaticides and other maternal homicidal acts the cycle of violence perspective can be applied to both cases, even though it may not be a sufficient explanation for maternal child killings.
Females’ Labor Force Participation and Intimate Femicide: An Empirical Assessment of the Backlash Hypothesis
Authors: Avakame Edem F.
Published: September 2018

Using data from the Supplementary Homicide Reports in conjunction with 1990 U.S. census data in a cross-sectional analysis, this paper tests the proposition that increased participation of women in the paid labor force will elevate the incidence of females’ intimate homicide victimization. In part, results support the backlash hypothesis. Specifically, they suggest that a growth in the female labor force participation rate decreases the poverty rate. Reductions in the poverty rate, in turn, augment the incidence of intimate lethal violence against women. We discuss the theoretical implications of these results.
Comparing Violence Over the Life Span in Samples of Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Cohabitants
Authors: Tjaden Patricia , Thoennes Nancy , Allison Christine J.
Published: September 2018

Using data from a nationally representative telephone survey that was conducted from November 1995 to May 1996, this study compares lifetime experiences with violent victimization among men and women with a history of same-sex cohabitation and their counterparts with a history of marriage and/or opposite-sex cohabitation only. The study found that respondents who had lived with a same-sex intimate partner were significantly more likely than respondents who had married or lived with an opposite-sex partner only to have been: (a) raped as minors and adults; (b) physically assaulted as children by adult caretakers; and (c) physically assaulted as adults by all types of perpetrators, including intimate partners. The study also confirms previous reports that intimate partner violence is more prevalent among gay male couples than heterosexual couples. However, it contradicts reports that intimate partner violence is more prevalent among lesbian couples than heterosexual couples. Overall study findings suggest that intimate partner violence is perpetrated primarily by men, whether against same-sex or opposite-sex partners.
Obstacles to Victims’ Cooperation With the Criminal Prosecution of Their Abusers: The Role of Social Support
Authors: Goodman Lisa , Bennett Lauren , Dutton Mary A.
Published: September 2018

Over the last 20 years, diminishing tolerance for domestic violence has triggered significant criminal justice reforms designed to facilitate the prosecution of abusers. Prosecutors, for example, have adopted policies requiring that cases go forward even if the victim later has second thoughts. Although increasingly common, these “no drop” policies reflect a profound irony about domestic cases that is well known but little understood: the most formidable problem in prosecuting such cases is often the victim’s own unwillingness to bring the abuser to justice.

This prospective study explored a range of factors potentially predictive of domestic violence victims’ cooperation with the prosecution of their abusers. Although the study focused on interpersonal and institutional social support, it also investigated the influence of violence severity, victim demographic factors, and victim mental health characteristics, including the presence of depressive symptoms, emotional dependence on the abuser, and substance abuse. Findings showed that tangible support, severity of violence in the relationship, and the presence of children in common with the abuser all significantly predicted victims’ cooperation with the prosecution of their abusers. Substance abuse significantly predicted victims’ noncooperation with prosecution. The research and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Breaking Up is Hard To Do: Unwanted Pursuit Behaviors Following the Dissolution of a Romantic Relationship
Authors: Langhinrichsen-Rohling Jennifer , Palarea Russell E. , Cohen Jennifer , Rohling Martin L.
Published: September 2018

This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of unwanted pursuit behaviors among college students. Participants (n = 282) had experienced the termination of a meaningful romantic relationship. Two questionnaires were administered. One assessed unwanted pursuit behaviors that were perpetrated by individuals who had not initiated the relationship breakup (breakup sufferers; n = 120); the other assessed individuals who had initiated the relationship breakup (relationship dissolvers; n = 162). Results indicated that most breakup sufferers had engaged in at least one act of unwanted pursuit (i.e., unwanted phone calls, unwanted in-person conversations) after the breakup. Breakup sufferers were more likely than relationship dissolvers to perceive a positive impact from their unwanted pursuit behavior. Partner-specific attachment experiences and love styles emerged as significant predictors of unwanted pursuit behavior perpetration, according to both victims and perpetrators of unwanted pursuit. However, only victims of unwanted pursuit revealed an association between levels of relationship violence and unwanted pursuit behavior perpetration. Victims also reported that their unwanted pursuit was related to a lack of friendship between themselves and their ex-partners. In contrast, there was a positive association between feelings of friendship and unwanted pursuit for perpetrators. The implications of these findings and their application to the stalking literature are discussed.
Measuring Interference With Employment and Education Reported by Women With Abusive Partners: Preliminary Data
Authors: Riger Stephanie , Ahrens Courtney , Blickenstaff Amy
Published: September 2018

This study examines the reliability and convergent validity of the Work/School Abuse Scale (W/SAS), a measure of the ways that abusive men interfere with women’s participation in education and employment. Results indicate good reliability as measured by coefficient alpha and significant correlations with both a revised version of the Conflict Tactics Scale and the Psychological Abuse Index. The W/SAS is a useful measure of the ways in which physical force and other means of interfering with women’s lives isolate them from activities that might provide income, social contacts, and a sense of accomplishment. It may also be used to examine whether changes in welfare policies affect levels of physical force and nonviolent interference in women’s employment and education, as suggested by the Family Violence Option to the 1996 revisions in federal welfare policies.
Interpreting and Defensively Responding to Threat: Examining Appraisals and Coping With Acquaintance Sexual Aggression
Authors: Nurius Paula S. , Norris Jeanette , Young Diane S. , Graham Thomas L. , Gaylord Jan
Published: September 2018

Resistance and prevention programming aimed at strengthening women’s ability to protect themselves against acquaintance sexual aggression has lacked attention to the cognitive and emotional processes women engage in when encountering such threats. Building upon current theory related to cognitive appraisal and coping processes, this study applies a theoretical model of how women evaluate and respond to sexual aggression by male acquaintances. Two hundred and two college women who had been sexually victimized by male acquaintances responded to a questionnaire that assessed their cognitive appraisals of and emotional and behavioral responses to the incident, in addition to aggression characteristics. Path analytic regression analyses examined theorized relationships among primary and secondary appraisal and emotional response variables in addition to their collective prediction of behavioral responding. The hypothesized model accounted for significant variance in behavioral responding and indicated different patterns of appraisals, emotions, and aggression characteristics predicting women’s assertive and diplomatic behavioral responses to their assaults. These findings are consistent with research and theory related to individuals’ appraisal of and coping with threatening events. Theoretical and intervention implications for resistance and prevention efforts are discussed.
Aggressive Behavior Among Women Sexually Abused as Children
Authors: Siegel Jane A.
Published: September 2018

Although research shows that sexually abused children appear to be at risk of subsequent aggressive behavior, few investigations address whether such behavior persists beyond childhood. This research describes the self-reported adolescent and adult fighting behavior of 136 women sexually abused as children and examines the role of intervening variables in the risk of such behavior. The women are part of a longitudinal study of 206 primarily low-income, urban women whose abuse was documented at the time it occurred. Fighting was common, particularly during adolescence. Adult aggression was strongly associated with being a victim of violence by an intimate partner. A history of exposure to other forms of violence significantly increased the risk of fighting while strong maternal attachments mitigated the risk, primarily by reducing the likelihood of involvement in an abusive intimate relationship.
The Relative Frequency of Offensive and Defensive Gun Uses: Results From a National Survey
Authors: Hemenway David , Azrael Deborah
Published: September 2018

Some controversy exists about the relative frequency of criminal and self-defense gun use in the United States. Using data from a national random-digit-dial telephone survey of over 1900 adults conducted in 1996, we find that criminal gun use is far more common than self-defense gun use. This result is consistent with findings from other private surveys and the National Crime Victimization Surveys. In this survey, all reported cases of criminal gun use and many cases of self-defense gun use appear to be socially undesirable. There are many instances of gun use, often for intimidation, that are not reported to the police and may not appear in official crime statistics.
Wife Killing: Risk to Women as a Function of Age
Authors: Shackelford Todd K. , Buss David M. , Peters Jay
Published: September 2018

Younger women, relative to older women, incur elevated risk of uxoricide—being murdered by their husbands. Some evolutionary theorists attribute this pattern to men’s evolved sexual proprietariness, which inclines them to use violence to control women, especially those high in reproductive value. Other evolutionary theorists propose an evolved homicide module for wife killing. An alternative to both explanations is that young women experience elevated uxoricide risk as an incidental byproduct of marriage to younger men who commit the majority of acts of violence. We used a sample of 13,670 uxoricides to test these alternative explanations. Findings show that (a) reproductive-age women incur an elevated risk of uxoricide relative to older women; (b) younger men are overrepresented among uxoricide perpetrators; and (c) younger women, even when married to older men, still incur excess risk of uxoricide. Discussion examines competing explanations for uxoricide in light of these findings.
Women’s Fear of Crime: The Role of Fear for the Well-Being of Significant Others
Authors: Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: September 2018

A number of explanations have been suggested in the literature for the finding that women consistently report higher levels of fear of crime than males. The “shadow” hypothesis argues that fear of crime among females reflects fear of sexual assault. The “intimate” hypothesis argues that women’s fear of crime is the result of exposure to intimate violence. Females’ fear of crime is expected to be explained by their fear of partners’ violence. The main argument of this article is that women’s fear of crime might be the result of traditional family gender roles. When asked, women might express fear not only for their own well-being but for that of their children. A survey of a representative sample of women in the third largest city of Israel was used to test this assumption. Women’s fear of crime was found to be affected by fear of sexual assault and fear of violent partners. In addition, consistent with the argument of this study, women’s fear of violent and sexual victimization of their children had a significant effect on their perception of fear. Future directions for research are suggested.
Anger, Irrational Beliefs, and Dysfunctional Attitudes in Violent Dating Relationships
Authors: Dye Melanie L. , Eckhardt Christopher I.
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate whether perpetrators of dating violence could be differentiated from their nonviolent counterparts on measures of anger and cognitive distortion, specifically Ellis’s (1994) irrational beliefs and Beck’s (1976) dysfunctional attitudes. Of the 95 male and 152 female undergraduates surveyed, 27% (24 males and 43 females) reported using some form of physical aggression against their current dating partner in the past year. On a self-report measure of anger (State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory), violent individuals reported higher levels of Anger Out and lower levels of Anger Control compared to nonviolent participants. While there were no differences between violent and nonviolent participants’ levels of Trait Anger, the results suggest that violent individuals have difficulty controlling angry feelings when they arise, which may increase the likelihood of externally directed forms of anger expression. No significant group differences emerged on questionnaire measures of irrational beliefs and dysfunctional attitudes. Within the violent sample, there was no differential pattern of correlations between measures of anger and cognition relative to the nonviolent sample. The present data suggest that while trait-based measures of cognitive distortion explain little variance in self-reported acts of dating violence, future research should investigate whether (a) cognitive distortions are present during affect-inducing partner conflict situations, or (b) vary with violence severity.
Stalking Perpetrators and Psychological Maltreatment of Partners: Anger-Jealousy, Attachment Insecurity, Need for Control, and Break-Up Context
Authors: Davis Keith E. , Ace April , Andra Michelle
Published: September 2018

Two studies of the correlates of self-reported courtship persistence, stalking-like behaviors following a relationship break-up, and psychological maltreatment of partners were conducted in samples of male (N = 46 and 93) and female (N = 123 and 110) college students. Approximately 40% (38.5% and 44.6%) engaged in at least one stalking behavior following a break-up. A total of 10.7% (study 1) and 7.6% (study 2) engaged in 6 or more stalking behaviors. Stalking was significantly related to psychological maltreatment of the partner (PMP) prior to the break-up. Being the recipient of the breakup was associated with feelings of anger, jealousy and obsessiveness and with higher levels of courtship persistence, and stalking. A replicated path model showed that anxious attachment and need for control were related to PMP and that need for control had a direct contribution to stalking. For anxious attachment, its connection to stalking was indirect, mediated by the degree of anger-jealousy over the break-up.
The Role of Stalking in Domestic Violence Crime Reports Generated by the Colorado Springs Police Department
Authors: Tjaden Patricia , Thoennes Nancy
Published: September 2018

A review of 1,785 domestic violence crime reports generated by the Colorado Springs Police Department found that 1 in 6 (16.5 percent) contained evidence the suspect stalked the victim. Female victims were significantly more likely than male victims to allege stalking by their partners (18.3 vs. 10.5 percent). Most stalkers were former rather than current intimates. Regardless of victims’ gender, reports with stalking allegations were significantly less likely to mention physical abuse or victim injury in the presenting condition, to involve households with children, or to involve victims and suspects who were using alcohol at the time of the report. Female victims who alleged stalking by their partner were significantly less likely than female victims who did not allege stalking to be emotionally distraught at the time of the report, but significantly more likely to have an active restraining order against the suspect, and to sign releases to facilitate the police investigation. Police almost never charged domestic violence stalking suspects with stalking, preferring instead to charge them with harassment or violation of a restraining order.
The Effects of Children’s Presence on Woman Abuse
Authors: Hutchison Ira W. , Hirschel J. David
Published: September 2018

The association between the presence of children and woman abuse was investigated. Data were collected from 419 women who had called the police because of an abusive incident involving their male partner. Minor children were present in the home in 3/4 of the cases and were frequent witnesses to the abusive incident. In more than 1/2 of the cases, children had witnessed the assault according to the victims; 2/3 of the victims reported that children had seen the police when they arrived. There was almost no association between the presence of children in the home and assault on women: the presence of children was not associated with cumulative incidence of abuse, severity of abuse, degree of injury, or the victim’s decision-making process in calling the police. However, police were more likely to provide information and referrals to shelters when children were present.
Psychological Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Battered Women: Examining the Roles of Shame and Guilt
Authors: Street Amy E. , Arias Ileana
Published: September 2018

Psychological abuse among battered women has been relatively understudied. However, battered women’s reports in the existing qualitative and quantitative research suggest that the effects of psychological abuse can be even more damaging than the effects of physical abuse. The current study attempted to clarify the relationship between psychological abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a sample of battered women by statistically controlling for the effects of physical abuse. This study also explored the affective experiences of shame and guilt as important variables in the development of PTSD in battered women. This investigation replicated previous work suggesting that battered women are very much at risk for a diagnosis of PTSD and suggests that clinicians and researchers may need to focus on psychological abuse as a predictor of PTSD symptomatology. The current findings encourage attention to shame reactions in battered women and suggest new directions in the study of PTSD for other traumatized populations.
Attitudinal Acceptance of Intimate Partner Violence Among U.S. Adults
Authors: Simon Thomas R. , Anderson Mark , Thompson Martie P. , Crosby Alex E. , Shelley Gene , Sacks Jeffrey J.
Published: September 2018

Attitudinal acceptance of intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important correlate of violent behavior. This study examined acceptance of IPV using data collected from a nationally representative telephone survey of 5,238 adults. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to violence, question order, and acceptance of hitting a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend under specific circumstances. Depending on the circumstance examined, acceptance of IPV was significantly higher among participants who were male and younger than 35; were non-White; were divorced, separated, or had never married; had not completed high school; had a low household income; or were victims of violence within the past 12 months. Participants were more accepting of women hitting men; they also were consistent’; more likely to report tolerance of IPV if they were asked first about women hitting men rather than men hitting women. Reports of IPV tolerance need to be interpreted within the context of the survey. Efforts to change IPV attitudes can be tailored to specific IPV circumstances and subgroups, and these efforts should emphasize that the use of physical violence is unacceptable to both genders.
Social Reactions to Rape Victims: Healing and Hurtful Effects on Psychological and Physical Health Outcomes
Authors: Campbell Rebecca , Ahrens Courtney E. , Sefl Tracy , Wasco Sharon M. , Barnes Holly E.
Published: September 2018

In this study, 102 rape survivors were interviewed about the social reactions they received from family and friends post-rape. Results supported Ullman’s (1996b) conclusion that the overall contribution of positive social reaction (e.g., providing support, listening, believing) on victims’ recovery is negligible, but that negative social reactions (e.g., blaming) hinder recovery. In contrast to Ullman’s (1996b) work, this research also examined whether rape victims have similar perceptions as to what constitutes a “positive” and “negative” social reaction. Results indicated that victims often agree as to what reactions are healing (positive), but that they do not agree as to what is hurtful (negative). By taking victims’ perceptions into account, this study was able to compare the relative contributions of social reactions that were considered healing, social reactions that were considered hurtful, and the absence of social reactions. Results indicated that survivors who had someone believe their account of what happened or were allowed to talk about the assault—and considered these reactions to be healing—had fewer emotional and physical health problems than victims who considered these reactions hurtful, or victims who did not experience these reactions at all. Implications for future research on social reactions are discussed.
A Meta-Analysis of Rape Education Programs
Authors: Brecklin Leanne R. , Forde David R.
Published: September 2018

Meta-analysis of evaluation studies of rape education programs aimed at college students examined which program characteristics were related to participants’ rape-supportive attitude change. Linear regression analyses revealed that: (a) published studies yielded greater attitude change than dissertations, presentations, or unpublished studies; (b) attitude change declined over time; and (c) men in mixed-gender groups experienced less attitude change after interventions than men in single-gender groups. Implications for the development of effective rape education programs are discussed.
Gun Violence Exposure and Trauma Among Rural Youth
Authors: Slovak Karen , Singer Mark
Published: September 2018

This study compared rural youth exposed to gun violence and rural youth not exposed to gun violence on a number of variables: anger, anxiety, dissociation, depression, posttraumatic stress, total trauma, violent behavior, parental monitoring, and levels of violence in the home, school, and community. One-fourth (25%) of the rural youth in this study reported having been exposed to gun violence at least once. Youth exposed to gun violence reported significantly more anger, dissociation, posttraumatic stress, and total trauma. In addition, youth exposed to the violence of guns reported significantly higher levels of violent behaviors and exposure to violence in other settings and also reported lower levels of parental monitoring. The present study contributes to the growing body of literature addressing the stereotype that rural communities are not immune to the violence of firearms. This stereotype acts as a barrier to mental health practice, research, and policy issues in rural communities.
Short-Term Stability and Prospective Correlates of Bullying in Middle-School Students: An Examination of Potential Demographic, Psychosocial, and Environmental Influences
Authors: Espelage Dorothy L. , Bosworth Kris , Simon Thomas R.
Published: September 2018

Stability and change of bullying over a four-month interval was examined in 516 middle school students (grades 6-8). The stability coefficient was .65 for the entire sample. There was a significant increase in bullying behavior from Time 1 to Time 2 for 6th grade students; no significant change in bullying was found among 7th or 8th graders. For 6th graders, a greater confidence in using non-violent strategies was associated with less bullying at Time 2, while beliefs supportive of violence and misconduct, less positive adult influences, and more negative peer influences were associated with greater likelihood of bullying at Time 2. Higher levels of impulsivity, anger, and depression were also associated with greater levels of bullying over time. Several explanations for the increase in bullying behaviors among 6th graders are discussed and linked to intervention efforts.
The Impact of Crime Victimization and Fear of Crime on Attitudes Toward Death Penalty Defendants
Authors: Seltzer Rick , McCormick Joseph P.
Published: September 2018

A 1983 telephone survey of 610 respondents in two Maryland counties found that the general disposition of the respondents toward the criminal justice system was a better predictor of abstract attitudes toward the death penalty than either the respondents’ fear of becoming crime victims or whether they had been victims of crime. Yet respondents’ fear of crime victimization was a better predictor of their willingness to impose the death penalty or to accept mitigating circumstances during the penalty phase of a capital case than their abstract attitudes toward the criminal justice system. Respondents who were “somewhat” afraid of crime victimization were less likely to support the death penalty than were respondents who were “very” afraid or “not” afraid of victimization. These findings indicate that previous research on the death penalty may have been flawed because the wording of the questions asked was too abstract and unidimensional.
Motivational Needs for Power and Spouse-Specific Assertiveness in Assaultive and Nonassaultive Men
Authors: Dutton Donald G. , Strachan Catherine E.
Published: September 2018

Men who had assaulted their wives were compared to maritally conflicted (but nonassaultive) and satisfactorily married controls through the use of Thematic Apperception Test stories scored for the need for power. When the stimulus pictures showed ambiguous male-female relationships, the assaultive men generated higher need-for-power scores than the average of both control groups combined but did not differ from the maritally conflicted group on need for power. The assaultive men had lower spouse-specific assertiveness scores than either control group, however. A discriminant analysis based on need-for-power and assertiveness scores correctly classified the wife assaulters and maritally conflicted males 90% of the time. The resulting profile of assaultive men was of a group high in the need to exert power in relationships with women but lacking in the verbal resources to do so. It was hypothesized that this combination of a high need for power and a deficit in verbal ability to generate influence produces chronic frustration, which may increase the risk of violence when combined with other factors.
The Role of Childhood Sexual Abuse in the Development of Alcoholism in Women
Authors: Miller Brenda A. , Downs William R. , Gondoli Dawn M. , Keil Angeliki
Published: September 2018

The effects of childhood sexual abuse on the development of alcoholism in women were examined by comparing a sample of 45 alcoholic women selected from local treatment agencies and Alcoholics Anonymous groups with a group of 40 nonalcoholic women selected randomly from a household population. Face-to-face interview schedules were administered to both samples. Sexual abuse was defined as any unwanted sexual contact with a person at least five years older than the respondent, or with any family relative, regardless of age difference. Types of sexual contact included both nonphysical contact (e.g., invitations, exposure) and physical contact (e.g., fondling, intercourse). Results showed that alcoholic women were more likely to have experienced sexual abuse, had a greater number of different types of sexual abuse experiences, and endured sexual abuse over a longer period than the comparison group. The presence of any childhood sexual abuse experience was sufficient to discriminate between the alcoholic women and the comparison group, even controlling for demographic variables and the presence of a parent with alcohol-related problems. Although alcoholic women were more likely to report that a parent had alcohol-related problems, relatively few of the sexual abuse incidents were perpetrated by a parent. The data suggest that vulnerabilities to sexual abuse were attributable to environmental or psychological factors in homes in which a parent was reported as having alcohol-related problems.
Parents’ Experience of Time Distortion Following Diagnosis of a Serious or Lethal Fetal Anomaly
Authors: Smith Sally de-Vitry , Dietsch Elaine , Bonner Ann
Published: September 2018

PURPOSE:To explore the experience of couples who continued pregnancy following a diagnosis of serious or lethal fetal anomaly.

STUDY DESIGN:Thirty-one male and female participants were recruited from a high-risk maternal–fetal medicine clinic in Washington State. Data were collected using in-depth interviews during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. Transcribed interviews were thematically analyzed through the phenomenological lens of Merleau-Ponty.

FINDINGS:Participants described how time became reconfigured and reconstituted as they tried to compress a lifetime of love for their future child into a limited period. Participants’ concepts of time became distorted and were related to their perceptual lived experience rather than the schedule-filled, regimented, linear clock time that governed the health professionals.

CONCLUSION:Living in distorted time may be a mechanism parents use to cope with overwhelming and disorienting feelings when their unborn baby is diagnosed with a fetal anomaly.
Ancient Egyptian Women’s Health Care in Relation to Modern Women’s Health Care Practices: An Overview
Authors: Fouly Howieda , McCool William F. , Koucoi Jaclyn
Published: September 2018

This article will address ancient Egyptians’ knowledge of the childbirth cycle from preconception to postpartum and the similarities of these practices to modern knowledge and practice. From developing the first recorded pregnancy test to using the favorable position of squatting in labor, the ancient Egyptians exhibited a base of knowledge that more recent use of the scientific method has confirmed. Other practices, such as methods of contraception, can be seen as steps in the evolution of methods used today. Ancient Egyptians emphasized maternal nutrition during pregnancy and care of the newborn and mother immediately postpartum. Newborn assessment in ancient Egypt consisted of two parameters—cry and muscle tone—that exhibits a historical technique analogous to the modern Apgar score. Evidence also indicates that the ancient Egyptians devised strategies to suture perineal tears and manage other postpartum complications. In addition to practices related to pregnancy and childbirth, other contributions of these ancient people to medical practice and vocabulary were associated with general women’s health.
Prior Relationship, Resistance, and Injury in Rapes: An Analysis of Crisis Center Records
Authors: Ruback R. Barry , Ivie Deborah L.
Published: September 2018

Information about the rapes of 2,526 adult females was coded from the records of a rape crisis center to test the hypothesis that physically resisting a stranger would be more strongly related to injury than would physically resisting someone known to the victim. Among other differences, attacks by strangers were more likely to involve a weapon and to occur outdoors than were attacks by nonstrangers, and victims were less likely to physically resist strangers than nonstrangers. Across the entire sample, multivariate analyses revealed that physical resistance was significantly related to injury, even when other factors were held constant. Consistent with the hypothesis, physical resistance was more strongly related to injury when the rapist was a stranger than when the rapist was known to the victim.
Predictions of Dangerousness: An Argument for Limited Use
Authors: Miller Marc , Morris Norval
Published: September 2018

Intense debate has focused on the use of statistical predictions of dangerousness in the criminal justice system. Two conflicting positions maintain wide support: that such predictions are never appropriate in criminal justice decision-making, and that they should be used far more often. Recognizing the fact that implicit and intuitive predictions are made every day in police, prosecutorial, sentencing, and other decisions, and explicit but unscientific predictions are common, this article suggests a theoretical framework justifying limited use of statistical predictions. Statistical predictions may present, in some instances, a morally preferable alternative to biased nonscientific and implicit judgments. Development of a sound jurisprudence of predictions faces major hurdles given the trend toward unscientific predictions in the law and the enormous judicial confusion in dealing with predictions. The concept has contributed to a string of notably poor Supreme Court decisions.
New Directions in Violence Prediction: The Public Health Arena
Authors: Mercy James A. , O’Carroll Patrick W.
Published: September 2018

Injury resulting from interpersonal violence is now recognized as an important public health problem. Consequently, the public health community is applying its perspectives and strategies to the goal of preventing violence. The public health approach emphasizes preventing injuries due to interpersonal violence from occurring or recurring, rather than treating the health consequences of these injuries. Four interrelated steps are used to develop information to guide the development of prevention strategies: public health surveillance, risk group identification, risk factor exploration, and program implementation/evaluation. The ability to predict which people are at greatest risk of injury (or producing injury) and the relative effectiveness and costs of alternative prevention strategies are central to decisions influencing the nature and focus of public health prevention strategies. In order to improve the information base on which decisions concerning violence prevention strategies are founded, the following activities should be given priority: (a) developing surveillance systems for morbidity associated with interpersonal violence; (b) precisely identifying risk groups for nonfatal violent events; (c) applying case-control methods to the exploration of potentially modifiable risk factors for injuries and violent behaviors; and (d) rigorously evaluating extant programs that are intended to prevent interpersonal violence or modify a suspected risk factor for violence.
Reducing Violence in Correctional Institutions: Revalidation of the Inmate Risk Assessment for Violent, Nonsexual Victimization
Authors: Labrecque Ryan M. , Scherer Heidi , McCafferty James T.
Published: September 2018

Jail and prison administrators are responsible for ensuring institutional safety and order. Recent estimates indicate violence in correctional institutions is pervasive. One promising approach to reduce institutional violence is using a risk assessment to predict the likelihood of victimization. Once corrections officials identify high victimization risk offenders, these authorities can take steps to triage interventions to mitigate such risks. This strategy, however, requires a classification instrument that is available and predictively valid. In 2014, Labrecque, Smith, and Wooldredge created one such tool—the Inmate Risk Assessment for Violent, Nonsexual Victimization (RVNSV). This study reassesses the predictive validity of the RVNSV on a sample of adult inmates in the United States. The results indicate the RVNSV is a valid predictor of inmate victimization, among males and females.
Social Approval for Violations of Sexual Consent in Marriage and Dating
Authors: Margolin Leslie , Moran Patricia B. , Miller Melody
Published: September 2018

This study compares approval for minor violations of sexual consent in three contexts: marriage, long-term dating, and a first date. Quantitative and qualitative data from a vignette experiment show that as couples progress from a first date to marriage, men gain support to violate their partner’s consent, and, to a lesser degree, women lose support to assert their rights. Evidence is presented that men are more approving of male dominance and female passivity in dating and marriage than are women.
Research Note: Parallel Reactions in Rape Victims and Rape Researchers
Authors: Alexander Janet G. , de Chesnay Mary , Marshall Elaine , Campbell Arthur R. , Johnson Sharon , Wright Rebecca
Published: September 2018

In a recent study, several nurse researchers assisted in a case record review on 1,215 rape crisis center records to determine demographic predicators of sexual abuse. Despite the relatively impersonal nature of the method used in collection of data, researchers experienced highly subjective responses to the often sketchy case records both during and after the study. Some of the reactions reported by data collectors included: anger, dreams, fear of physical injury, and sleep disorders. These responses closely parallel those reported in the literature on rape victims. This research note (1) describes the reactions of the five different data collectors, (2) compares these reactions to those reported for rape victims, (3) suggests some implications for those engaged in research on potentially distressing topics, and (4) offers suggestions on how to best prepare data collectors and others for research in emotionally charged areas.
The Ecology of Child Abuse and Neglect: Review of the Literature and Presentation of Data
Authors: Zuravin Susan J.
Published: September 2018

This report assesses current knowledge about the ecological determinants of child maltreatment and presents data from an aggregate study of co-variation between seven community characteristics and maltreatment rates. A review of these findings revealed literature in the early stages of development. Nothing is known about the ecology of sexual abuse, and studies of physical abuse and neglect have done little more than demonstrate co-variation between reported incidence and neighborhood population and housing characteristics. Study findings reveal that (a) five of the seven community characteristics are significant and independent correlates of neglect, and four are correlates of abuse; (b) the strongest predictors of both types of maltreatment are percentage of families with income less than 200% of poverty and percent of vacant housing; and (c) the pattern of co-variation between the two economic stress indicators and three inadequate social support indicators are consistent with the ecological hypothesis. Discussion focuses on interpretation of findings and recommendations for future research.
The Impact of Adolescent Sexual Victimization: Standardized Measures of Anxiety, Depression, and Behavioral Deviancy
Authors: Gidycz Christine A. , Koss Mary P.
Published: September 2018

Standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and behavioral deviancy were administered to a nonclinical sample of 67 high school girls (M age = 16.3; SD = 1.28). In addition, an adolescent version of the Sexual Experiences Survey was administered to assess the history of peer sexual victimization. In this sample, 55.0% of the girls had experienced at least one sexual victimization, including 7.5% of them who had experienced completed forcible rape. Data were analyzed via multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression. Sexually victimized girls scored significantly higher than nonvictimized girls on the Trait Anxiety Index and the Beck Depression Inventory, but not on the Antisocial Index of the Jesness Inventory. The extent of victimization contributed significantly to the prediction of both the depression score and the anxiety score. The clinical significance of the reported symptoms is discussed. Although the study was not based on a probability sample, the prevalence of rape was consistent with existing literature. Because the sample was limited to girls who have remained involved in social systems, the measured symptoms probably are a conservative estimate of retrospectively measured postassault standardized test scores among sexually victimized adolescents.
Sexual Victimization: Is There a Vicious Cycle?1
Authors: Mandoki Catalina A. , Burkhart Barry R.
Published: September 2018

A review of the literature on sexual abuse suggests that many women are repeatedly victimized. To examine the relationship between child and adult sexual victimization, 282 female undergraduates completed questionnaires describing child and adult incidents of sexual abuse. Personality measures (e.g., assertiveness, dependency, self-esteem, and attributional style) and situational variables (family background, and dating and sexual history) were measured to assess their relationship to victimization. Child victimization did not directly predict adult victimization; however, the number of both child and adult victimizations was related to the number of adult consensual sexual partners. A pattern of repeated adult victimization was identified for a group of victims of adult sexual abuse; however, such multiple victimization was not associated with any of the predicted personality variables. Further investigation of women who have been victimized as children and as adults and of adults who present with repeated victimization was identified as a necessary area for further research.