Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Purpose: This paper examines the relative influence of a number of factors, patriarchal ideology, age, socio-economic status, partner relationship, and problem behaviors on the frequency of partner abuse. The role of patriarchal ideology in determining frequency of abuse is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, patriarchal ideology is, arguably, the most dominant explanation of partner abuse (Cassidy & Traminow, 2002; Dobash & Dobash, 1979; Kaufman Kantor & Jasinski, 1998; Peterson del Mar, 1996; Walker, 2000). Secondly, patriarchal ideology is the target of most intervention programs (Babcock & Taillade, 2000; Hamby, 1998; Pence & Paymar, 1993). Thirdly, the reduction or prevention of repeat partner abuse is the essential function of intervention (Gondolf, 2000; 2001). For these reasons, the research being presented hypothesized that men in batterer treatment who adhere to a patriarchal ideology would be more frequent abusers of their intimate partners.

Method: This study utilized a purposive sample of 283 men who attended court-ordered batterer treatment groups in a metropolitan area. Patriarchal ideology was measured by the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife Beating scale (IBWB) (Saunders, Lynch, Grayson, & Linz, 1987) and the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS) (Spence, & Helmreich 1978). Frequency of partner abuse was determined by participants' responses on the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) (Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980).The data were analyzed using negative binomial regression after having determined that the distribution of the data violated the normalcy and linearity requirements of ordinary least squares and was overdispersed when poisson regression was applied.

Results: Patriarchal ideology did not have the strongest influence as predicted as to whether men in treatment are more frequent abusers of their partners. Instead, problem behaviors such as having a criminal record and having been identified as having a substance abuse problem stood out as being the most influential factors associated with frequent partner abuse.

Implications: This study raises concerns about the appropriateness of a one-size-fits-all approach as reflected in the standard treatment of partner abusers. This is especially important because the one-size-fits-all approach is dominated by the assumption that partner abuse is caused by abusers' adherence to patriarchal ideology.