NCJ Number
169127
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 648-664
Date Published
1997
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study explored the influence of three situational factors--level of provocation by victim, frequency of violence, and visibility of injuries sustained by victim--on service provider motivation to help adolescent victims of partner violence.
Abstract
Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires completed by 331 service providers in a primarily rural county in North Carolina. Each questionnaire included a scenario in which a victim of partner violence asked for help from a service provider. In all the scenarios, an adolescent requested assistance because he or she had been grabbed and slapped by a dating partner. After reading the scenario, participants answered questions that assessed perception of seriousness, attribution of blame, and motivation to help. Findings showed provocation influenced motivation to help female victims, whereas frequency of violence influenced motivation to help males. Perception of seriousness and attribution of blame did not mediate relationships between situational variables and motivation to help. Women were more motivated to help than men, and service providers of color indicated more motivation to help than white service providers. Theoretical explanations for gender differences, study limitations, and future research are discussed. 61 references and 4 tables