Consequences of Male Partner Violence for Low-Income Minority Women

Authors: Janel M. Leone¹; Michael P. Johnson²; Catherine L. Cohan³; Susan E. Lloyd⁴

Source: Journal of Marriage and Family, Volume 66, Number 2, May 2004 , pp. 472-490(19)

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Abstract:

The current study used a random sample of 563 low-income women to test Johnson's (1995) theory that there are two major forms of male-partner violence, situational couple violence and intimate terrorism, which are distinguished in terms of their embeddedness in a general pattern of control. The study examined the associations between type of violence experienced and respondents’ physical health, psychological distress, and economic well-being. Analyses revealed three distinct patterns of partner violence: intimate terrorism, control/no threat, and situational couple violence. Compared to victims of control/no threat and situational couple violence, victims of intimate terrorism reported more injuries from physical violence and more work/activity time lost because of injuries. Compared to women who experienced no violence in the previous year, victims of intimate terrorism reported a greater likelihood of visiting a doctor, poorer health, more psychological distress, and a greater likelihood of receiving government assistance.

Keywords: health and women; low socioeconomic status and women; partner violence

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-2455.2004.00014.x

Affiliations: 1: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 2: Pennsylvania State University * 3: Pennsylvania State University ** 4: The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation ***

Publication date: 2004-05-01