NCJ Number
245458
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: May 2013 Pages: 381-391
Date Published
May 2013
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The present study examined responses of 212 social workers, who were randomly assigned 1 of 4 case vignettes describing intimate partner abuse.
Abstract
Intimate partner abuse is defined as threatened or actual physical, sexual, or psychological abuse by a current or former partner. The present study examined responses of 212 social workers, who were randomly assigned 1 of 4 case vignettes describing intimate partner abuse. Vignettes varied by age of perpetrator and victim (elderly vs. young) and type of abuse (emotional vs. physical). Social workers tended to define intimate partner abuse against an elderly woman as non-abusive, in contrast to intimate partner abuse against a young woman. As a rule, social workers tended to favor therapeutic interventions more than legal interventions. However, in the case of intimate partner abuse against an elderly woman, social workers tended to prefer legal interventions. Specific training designed to help social workers to better understand their own ageist attitudes (i.e., age related discrimination) should supplement the training of social workers. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.