Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Background: Although domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic levels, empirical research consistently documents a connection between economic status and violence. Low-income and poverty are among the strongest, most consistent correlates of male-to-female domestic violence and most studies which include a measure of socioeconomic position consistently document a greater incidence of battering among those lower on such scales. Despite this extensive empirical evidence supporting a connection between socioeconomic status and intimate partner, there is a notable absence of a theoretical understanding of this relationship. Theories of domestic violence causation have not, to date, adequately incorporated economic variables.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test hypotheses shaped by social exchange and resource theories about the impact of economic indicators on the risk of violence against women in intimate relationships. Exchange theory predicts that violence would decrease when women's economic resources increase because, in gaining greater resources, women also gain more power. In contrast, resource theory warns that women's gain in resources could potentially spark a “backlash.” As women gain economic resources and become more economically independent, men may resort to violence to compensate for labor market difficulties and for frustrations when women outperform them. Following an intersectional approach, I examine the strength of these models across racial and ethnic groups, with a particular emphasis on African Americans.

Methods: Data for this study were drawn from the national sample of the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Survey. Analysis is limited to couples that were romantically involved and where both the mother and father completed the three year follow-up interview (N=1890). Physical violence questions were drawn from the Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, et al., 1996), while measures of coercive control were drawn the Effects of Violence on Work and Family Project (Lloyd, 1997). Socioeconomic measures focused on education, employment, income, compatibilities. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the impact of socioeconomic status compatibilities on the risk of physical violence and coercive control.

Results: The results suggest that incompatibilities in income, education, and employment status were differentially associated with male-to-female intimate partner violence and coercive control. Results supported a resource perspective and indicate that income and employment status compatibilities are significant in predicting male-to-female intimate partner violence. The risk of violence was not significantly related to education compatibilities. Evidence further suggests that the strength of these results across racial groups. Results were less significant for African American women.

Implications: This study provides particular insights on how economic justice and gender equality should be pursued as a strategy to reduce violence against women. This work goes beyond simply testing theory and helps to reformulate and clarify exchange theories of intimate partner violence. Results suggest that theoretical models emphasizing economic factors may not adequately explain the issues associated with physical violence for African American women. These results are important both in understanding the etiology of abuse and in designing effective screening and treatment strategies.