Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in a Control Balance Theory Framework

• In Event: Intimate Partner Violence: Diverse Perspectives

Abstract

Relatively few criminological theories offer potential explanatory capacity when examining intimate partner violence, which is one of the most challenging forms of crime to study empirically. Tittle's (1995, 2004) control balance theory is one such example, primarily due to its intrinsic emphasis on power dynamics (e.g., control deficit vs. surplus), gendered elements, and applicability to both perpetration and victimization. This study captures control balance dimensions of intimate partnerships and tests for associations to IPV outcomes in a large college sample. Results indicate that control imbalances of both types are associated with IPV perpetration and victimization, although these associations also operate differently across gender categories. Implications for theory and policy are discussed.

Authors

• Erin D. Castro, University of Florida

• Matt R. Nobles, Sam Houston State University

• Egbert Zavala, University of Texas at El Paso