Why I Hit Him: Women's Reasons for Intimate Partner Violence

• NCJ Number: 229489
• Journal: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma Volume: 18 Issue: 7 Dated: October-November 2009 Pages: 672-697
• Author(s): Jennifer E. Caldwell; Suzanne C. Swan; Christopher T. Allen; Tami P. Sullivan; David L. Snow
• Date Published: November 2009
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2001-WT-BX-0502
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Special issue on Female Offenders of Intimate Partner Violence, Part II, for additional information see NCJ-229488 and NCJ-229490-494.

Annotation

This study examined reasons and motives for intimate partner violence (IPV) among a community sample women who used IPV against male intimate partners.

Abstract

Hierarchical regression analyses revealed participants' aggression was driven by complex, multiple motives. All five motives were related to a greater frequency of perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV). Treatment programs focusing on women's IPV perpetration should address both defensive and proactive motives. This study examined motives for IPV among a community sample of 412 women who used IPV against male partners. A "Motives and Reasons for IPV Scale" was proposed, of negative emotions, self-defense, control, jealousy, and tough guise. The study is seen as the first to investigate the relationship between women's motives for IPV and their perpetration of physical, psychological, and sexual aggression, as well as coercive control, toward partners. Tables, figure, and references (Published Abstract)