A PROFILE OF INTERACTION IN ACUTE BATTERING INCIDENTS (SPOUSE ABUSE, WIFE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)

TERESA ANNE CHANDLER, Purdue University

Abstract

This dissertation examines reports of acute battering incidents between spouses for their interactive contents. Specifically, it tests four hypotheses that consider the differences between psychological and physical abuse in terms of both gender and behavior. As such, it examines the contributions made by both spouses in the interaction, and extends a definition of abuse to include the interactive process. This definition is in keeping with a systematic framework. The data for this study was gathered from 52 females who identified themselves as victims of spouse abuse. These women were interviewed by the investigator in protective shelters. The accounts of acute battering incidents provided by these women were analyzed by two independent sets of coders to supply indexes of gender, behavior, and the severity of the abuse. Results indicated that there were significant differences between males and females in their behavioral contributions to the battering incidents. Specifically, males enacted more verbally aggressive and physically violent behavior than females. The results also indicated that higher levels of physical severity in abuse were characterized by higher levels of physical violence. There were no significant results concerning the relation between psychological severity and behavior.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Communication

COinS