Violent tactics in family conflict relative to familial and economic factors.

A study was conducted to examine the social, economic, and family process factors which may be associated with families' use of violent tactics in conflict within an homogeneous population in the Appalachian region of southwestern Virginia. The primary hypothesis stated that economic conditions as set by the employment status of parents would be a significant factor in predicting use of violence in the resolution of family conflict. The study employed a questionnaire modeled after that used in a national study of family violence conducted by Straus, Gelles, and Steinmetz in 1980 with additional items developed to assess regional family processes and economic conditions. 114 boys and 161 girls ranging in age from 15 to 17 yr. participated. Statistical analysis confirmed the major hypothesis: in families where the father was unemployed, there was greater than expected frequency of reported violent interactions. Additional findings included associations between previous generation's abuse and use of violent interactions as well as sex of subject and use of violent interactions. VioLit summary OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study by Cantrell et al. was to utilize a social psychological model of family violence to investigate the relationship between violence in family conflict, demographic variables and a history of violence. METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental design was employed to study the whole population of high school sophomores in a small town in Virginia. A non-probability sample was established, consisting of 114 boys and 161 girls aged 15 to 17. A paper and pencil questionnaire was administered, containing demographic items and a conflict tactics scales that was based upon Straus' 1979 instrument. Questions concerned items regarding family religiosity and size, family economics and interactions, and history of violence in the previous generation. Physical violence was defined as behaviors causing pain, whilst physical abuse was defined as behaviors likely to cause injury or death. Analyses included examination of frequencies and chi-square statistics. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: It was found that the economic condition existing within the family group, as measured by parents' employment status, was a significant contributor to family violence. 34% reported parent-to- child abuse in households where the father was unemployed, whilst only 19% of those with employed fathers reported such behaviors. Significant relationships were also found between parent-to-child violence and a history of violence in the maternal grandparents - if there was a history of violence, it was more likely that violence would be reported in the current family. Whilst 24% of the boys reported use of parent-to-child violence within the family, this was the case for only 5% of the girls. More violent parent-to-child interactions were found in larger families than in those with fewer offspring. For parent-to-parent violence, boys reported violence more than girls, and it was reported more in families where the father had a higher level of education. The authors concluded that violence is a function of family and societal factors, rather than emanating from the nature of the individual. AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS: The authors called for further research into specific forms and consequences of violence, using longitudinal studies for cross-generational analyses. EVALUATION: Whilst this study does provide valuable information upon the nature of family violence, it is hampered by a fairly small sample, simplistic analyses and a minimal number of independent variables. Socio-economic status and race would have been interesting variables to examine, as well as others that may have a place in the model of family violence or that may have offered alternative explanations for the findings. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) KW - Virginia KW - Senior High School Student KW - Grade 10 KW - Late Adolescence KW - Early Adolescence KW - Socioeconomic Factors KW - Family Conflict KW - Family Relations KW - Parent Child Conflict KW - Parent Child Relations KW - Social Psychology KW - Domestic Violence Causes KW - Domestic Violence Incidence and Prevalence KW - Domestic Violence Victim KW - Domestic Violence Offender KW - Intergenerational Transmission of Violence KW - Child Abuse Incidence and Prevalence KW - Child Abuse Causes KW - Child Abuse Offender KW - Child Abuse Victim KW - Child Physical Abuse Incidence and Prevalence KW - Child Physical Abuse Causes KW - Child Physical Abuse Offender KW - Child Physical Abuse Victim KW - Partner Violence KW - Violence Against Women KW - Juvenile Victim KW - Interparental Violence KW - Children of Battered Women KW - Spouse Abuse Incidence and Prevalence KW - Spouse Abuse Causes KW - Spouse Abuse Victim KW - Spouse Abuse Offender KW - Father Offender KW - Mother Offender KW - Parent Offender KW - Adult Female KW - Adult Father KW - Adult Male KW - Adult Mother KW - Adult Offender KW - Adult Victim KW - Adult Violence KW - Adult Parent KW - Juvenile Female KW - Juvenile Male KW - Male Offender KW - Male Victim KW - Male Violence KW - Female Offender KW - Female Victim KW - Female Violence KW - Demographic Factors KW - Sociocultural Factors KW - Family Environment KW - Family History Language: en