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In, Out, and In Again? A Life Course Understanding of Women's Violent Relationships

NCJ Number
240918
Date Published
July 2006
Length
204 pages
Annotation
This dissertation develops a life-course perspective of women's experiences of intimate partner victimization (IPV).
Abstract

One objective is to examine the patterns of IPV among adult females, so as to determine whether women who experience different patterns of violence differ from one another on certain characteristics. Currently, little is known about what might link violent experiences within and across relationships. Another objective of the research is to examine the nature of the IPV women report, i.e., the situations and interactions in which IPV occurs. The first chapter suggests that a focus on the consequences of IPV for women's intimate relationships is necessary in achieving a broader understanding of the effects of IPV. The second chapter discusses the major theories of IPV. These can be described in offender-based theories, including intra-individual, social-psychological, and socio-cultural explanations, as well as victim-based theories. The third chapter provides detailed information on the two data-sets that are used in this research. The first is the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) and data collected from women incarcerated at the Women's Workhouse in Hennepin County, MN. Detailed information is provided on the women's violent encounters 3 years prior to incarceration. The fourth chapter presents results from the quantitative analyses of the NVAWS. This is followed by a chapter that presents results from a qualitative analysis of the jail sample. The sixth and final chapter discusses and draws conclusions about the central research issues, the main findings, and their implications for both research and policy. 12 tables, 1 figure, and extensive references

Date Published: July 1, 2006