Saturday, 15 January 2005 - 4:00 PM

This presentation is part of: Intimate Partner Violence

Domestic Violence in Religious Congregations: Implications for Social Work Practice

Purpose

Social workers often face special challenges when addressing conservative Christian groups on difficult social issues such as domestic violence. The literature offers complex and sometimes conflicting data concerning religion and domestic violence. Studies report that conservative Christian men do not abuse their partners more than other denominations (Brinkerhoff, Grandin, & Lupri 1992) and regular attendance in religious services is inversely associated with perpetration of domestic violence (Ellison & Anderson, 2001). However, men who hold more conservative theological views than their partners are especially likely to perpetrate domestic violence (Ellison & Anderson, 2001). Little empirical work has been done, however, specifically on how religiosity may influence help-seeking behaviors. This study builds on existing literature by offering findings that help clarify the relationship between religiosity and help-seeking behaviors among religiously affiliated people.

Methods

This presentation features quantitative research using survey methodology. The survey addressed the prevalence of domestic violence and help-seeking behaviors concerning domestic violence. Researchers selected a stratified random sample of 100 churches to investigate in a five-state region of the northern coastal area of the United States with a 70% response rate. All adults in attendance at the sample churches were invited to participate during a prearranged church service by filling out a questionnaire. Standardized protocols for data collection were used throughout the process. Researchers analyzed 1500 responses from church members using SPSS11.5. Researchers used ANOVA analysis to determine significant differences among groups who identified themselves as either “liberal,” “conservative,” or “very conservative” in the practice of their religion.

Results

The analysis reveals a domestic violence victimization rate in this sample of 19% for women and 9% for men. This compares to a national victimization rate of 22% for women and 6% for men (Tjaden& Thonnes, 2000). There were no significant differences in victimization across self-identified religiosity categories of “liberal, conservative, or very conservative.” Examining the impact of religiosity on help-seeking behaviors, the results indicate that the respondent’s self-reported classification of conservatism is related to specific patterns of help-seeking. Overall, people that identified themselves as “liberal” in their approach to their religious beliefs engage in significantly more help-seeking behaviors than either “conservative” or “very conservative” counterparts. People that identified their practice of religion as “liberal” were significantly more likely to go to a support group (.045), talk the situation over with a friend (.001), go to a professional counselor (.001), and buy a self-help book (.015).

Implications

In this sample of church attendees, holding more conservative religious views is associated with engaging in fewer help-seeking activities. While victimization rates vary little across religiosity categories, help-seeking activities vary significantly. Conservative respondents were as likely to be victimized as their liberal counterparts; however, they were less likely to seek help on a number of variables. These findings suggest a need for social workers to address barriers to help-seeking among people holding more conservative religious views. Social workers need to understand the restraints and barriers to help-seeking among all at-risk groups and design interventions that hold appeal across the spectrum of religiosity.

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