NCJ Number
220027
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 503-512
Date Published
2007
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to determine whether structural properties of mothers’ social network and received support were related to battering and to the severity of battering.
Abstract
Study results showed that three groups of mothers had several family members in their social networks. No differences were found between the groups on the number of family members who gave emotional support. However, the mothers who were severely assaulted had fewer friends, fewer contracts with their friends, fewer long-term friendships, and fewer friends who really listened to them than did the nonbattered mothers and the battered mothers who were not severely assaulted. Research showed that batterers were more successful in disrupting friendship ties than family ties. Findings from this and other studies show that battered women are more likely to seek out support from family members and friends than from professionals. The research compared 40 battered mothers who were severely assaulted with 46 battered mothers who were assaulted but not severely and 57 mothers who were not battered. Only mothers who currently had a partner were included in the sample. The study used an egocentric network analysis to test the validity and reliability of the study hypotheses. Tables, references