Perpetration of Gay and Lesbian Partner Violence: A Disempowerment Perspective

• NCJ Number: 216554
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 233-243
• Author(s): Patrick C. McKenry; Julianne M. Serovich; Tina L. Mason; Katie Mosack
• Date Published: May 2006
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This investigation of same-sex partner violence from a disempowerment perspective determined the influence of individual characteristics, family-of-origin factors, and intimate-relationship factors.

Abstract

The findings provide some support for disempowerment theory's contention that domestic violence among both gay men and lesbians is a function of real or perceived challenges to possessions, authority, or control of the intimate partners. Those partners with higher masculinity scores were more inclined to use aggression to resolve relationship problems. Both male and female perpetrators of domestic violence also differed from nonperpetrators in terms of insecure attachment. This is consistent with disempowerment theory; a less securely attached person would logically feel that his/her possession and control of an intimate would be more at risk. Male and female perpetrators also had more long-term relationship stress. The longer stress occurs in a relationship, the more likely are the partners to resort to physical violence instead of discussing a resolution to what might appear to be a hopeless situation. For males, but not for females, lower self-esteem, educational level, and socioeconomic background also contributed to a propensity for violence. A sample of 77 individuals in distressed intimate relationships (40 gay men and 37 lesbians) were administered a series of quantitative measures. Various instruments were used to measure the following individual factors: gender role orientation, insecure attachment, psychological symptoms, self-esteem, alcohol use, and internalized homophobia. A measure of family-of-origin factors focused on family violence, child abuse, parental homophobia, socioeconomic status, and family support. The intimate-relationship factors measured were relationship satisfaction, stress, emotional dependency, status difference, relationship dominance, and physical and verbal abuse toward the partner. 1 table and 68 references