Yale University

Why I Hit Him: Women's Reasons for Intimate Partner Violence.

TitleWhy I Hit Him: Women's Reasons for Intimate Partner Violence.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsCaldwell, Jennifer E., Suzanne C. Swan, Christopher T. Allen, Tami P. Sullivan, and David L. Snow
JournalJournal of aggression, maltreatment & trauma
Volume18
Issue7
Pagination672-697
Date Published2009 Oct
ISSN1545-083X
AbstractThis study examines motives for intimate partner violence (IPV) among a community sample of 412 women who used IPV against male partners. A "Motives and Reasons for IPV scale" is proposed, and exploratory factor analyses identified five factors: expression of negative emotions, self-defense, control, jealousy, and tough guise. To our knowledge, the study is the first to investigate the relationship between women's motives for IPV and their perpetration of physical, psychological, and sexual aggression, as well as coercive control, toward partners. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed participants' aggression was driven by complex, multiple motives. All five motives were related to a greater frequency of perpetrating IPV. Treatment programs focusing on women's IPV perpetration should address both defensive and proactive motives.
DOI10.1080/10926770903231783
Alternate JournalJ Aggress Maltreat Trauma

External Links