Gender Threat and Intimate Partner Violence

• In Event: Individual and Social Factors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

The prospect that gendered threat is related to intimate partner violence in relationships between married and cohabiting couples is examined. Specifically, we use Wave 3 Add Health data to assess this issue for 3,900 current, exclusive, romantic or sexual relationships (excluding same-sex couples). Gendered threat in absolute terms is the educational attainment of women in these relationships and in relative terms is the comparative educational attainment of both women and men. Interpersonal violence is measured as being male perpetrated, female perpetrated, mutual or non-existent. Few studies have used reports of education and interpersonal violence provided by both male and female respondents. From a threat perspective it is hypothesized that greater educational attainment by female partners – both absolute and relative – may be related to higher levels of male initiated or mutual violence. Preliminary results suggest that women in relationships with men who have less education are more likely than women in relationships with equal levels of education to report that any violent interaction or mutual violence has occurred. Male reports more consistently link any, mutual and male initiated violence to relationships where the man has more education. Differences between married and co-habiting couples are noted and theoretical implications discussed.

Authors

• Jennifer M. Brown, Florida State University

• Sonja Siennick, Florida State University

• Ted Chiricos, Florida State University