Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Background: Representing 15% of intimate partner violence (IPV) related arrests in the USA (Rennison, 2003) women embody an important, yet often ignored subgroup of the IPV offender population. Although the body of knowledge about this group is growing, discrepancies permeate the literature. Of particular relevance to the current study are disparities reported in abuse histories and trauma pathology experienced by this group of women. Although a significant body of literature indicates women who use relationship violence are also victims of violence themselves (e.g. IPV and/or childhood abuse), the frequency and degree of these experiences is unclear. Additionally, while it is logical to assume that posttraumatic sequelae would be high in populations with such histories findings reported in this area are mixed. Indeed, three studies report high levels of trauma related pathology (Able, 2001; Swan & Snow 2003; Swan, Gambone, Fields, Sullivan & Snow, 2005), two report an absence of such concerns (Henning, Jones & Holdford, 2003: Simmons, Lehmann, Cobb, & Fowler, 2005) and one reports trauma related symptoms that are not clinically diagnosable (Smith-Acuna, Metzger & Watson, 2004).

Method: In an effort to increase the body of knowledge surrounding these discrepancies, the current study analyses the abuse histories and trauma sequelae reported by 82 women enrolled in a Domestic Violence Diversion program. Abuse histories and trauma sequelae including PTSD, depression and anxiety were measured using (a) partner physical, emotional and sexual abuse scales (Lehmann, 1998), (b) parental warmth and rejections scales (Dutton, 1995), (c) the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) and (d) the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–III (Million, 1997).

Results: Although a majority of women reported experiencing abuse from their partner and/or parent, the frequency of this violence and the presence of trauma pathology (e.g. PTSD, depression and/or anxiety) were rather low. Additionally, correlation between the three scales of partner abuse and degree of posttraumatic sequelae was either low or did not meet significance. However, level of childhood abuse from mother was highly correlated with traumatic sequelae while childhood abuse from father was not.

Conclusions/Implications: In the spirit of doing “Research That Matters,” the current study quantifies abuse histories and is congruent to those studies reporting an absence of trauma sequelae in populations of women IPV offenders. The importance of these findings are relevant to those working in the IPV treatment arena as they highlight the need to acknowledge this population's prior experience as victims of abuse while simultaneously addressing their use of violence. Indeed, these women appear to not be in need of traditional victims' services that address PTSD, depression and anxiety. Instead, it is likely their violence is a learned behavior which needs to be addressed to prevent future violence in their families. Implications for policy, practice and future research will be addressed in this presentation.