Female Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: Within-Group Heterogeneity, Related Psychopathology, and a Review of Current Treatment with Recommendations for the Future

• NCJ Number: 229493
• Journal: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma Volume: 18 Issue: 7 Dated: October-November 2009 Pages: 752-769
• Author(s): Julie Goldenson; Alicia Spidel; Caroline Greaves; Donald Dutton
• Date Published: November 2009
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Special issue on Female Offenders of Initimate Partner Violence, Part II, for additional information see NCJ-229488-492 and NCJ-229494.

Annotation

This literature review highlights findings on the prevalence of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV), the context and motivation for women's use of violence, the characteristics and psychopathology of these women, current treatment, and recommendations to help inform the development of future treatment strategies.

Abstract

Female perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) are now beginning to receive some scholarly attention both in Canada and the United States, particularly with zero tolerance policies and the increasing number of female arrestees. This article reviews research on the relative prevalence of IPV (comparing males and females) and the context and motivation for perpetration and female perpetrators' general psychopathology (e.g., their attachment issues, trauma experiences, and personality organization). The article not only examines intergroup comparisons between women and men, but also highlights some of the intragroup heterogeneity within female perpetrators of the IPV population. The aim of this review is also to describe some of the current treatment approaches and provide recommendations for the future. References (Published Abstract)