Differential patterns of wife abuse: a data-based typology.
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
Despite the growing awareness of wife abuse as a serious social problem of epidemic proportions, to date no systematic research has been conducted to delineate on an empirical basis distinct patterns of abuse within this heterogeneous population. The present study has as its goal the identification of differential patterns of wife abuse, each having a unique etiological profile with attendant implications for intervention. Toward this end a multivariate quantitative taxonomic procedure was employed to delineate 5 homogeneous subgroups of women (N = 119; 17-58 yrs) abused by their partners. Subsequent analyses revealed these 5 subtypes to differ significantly in frequency and severity of abuse, usual precipitants, typical responses of the woman and her assailant, history of violence in the family of origin, and disposition following brief residence at a shelter for battered women. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). 1981 American Psychological Association.