Gender differences in partner violence in a birth cohort of 21-year-olds: bridging the gap between clinical and epidemiological approaches

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1997 Feb;65(1):68-78. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.65.1.68.

Abstract

This study describes partner violence in a representative sample of young adults. Physical violence perpetration was reported by 37.2% of women and 21.8% of men. Correlates of involvement in severe physical violence differed by gender. Severe physical violence was more strongly associated with unemployment, low educational attainment, few social support resources, polydrug use, antisocial personality disorder symptoms, depression symptoms, and violence toward strangers for men than for women. Women who were victims of severe physical violence were more likely than men who were victims to experience symptoms of anxiety. The findings converge with community studies showing that more women than men are physically violent toward a partner and with clinical studies highlighting violence perpetrated against women by men with deviant characteristics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New Zealand / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology