NCJ Number
186645
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2000 Pages: 173-186
Date Published
2000
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the use of labels, including abuse, victim, and battered women in a sample of 78 women who had sustained at least one physical assault in their current or most recent relationship.
Abstract
The participants were part of a random sample of nonfaculty female employees at a large southeastern State university. The participants completed a questionnaire after random selection from the campus directory and contacts at work. Results revealed that self-labeling followed a differentiating strategy in that women experiencing more frequent and more severe assaults were more likely to apply labels. Lower partner income, being black, lower relationship commitment, and having ended the relationship also were associated with increased self-labeling. The participants' labeling of hypothetical acts in vignettes of violence experienced by others followed an inclusive strategy in that all assaults were considered abusive. Findings suggested that contextual factors include labeling. Findings suggested that prevention and intervention programs may be able to increase their effectiveness by including more situational context in their messages. Figures, tables, and 43 references (Author abstract modified)