Typologies of Intimate Partner Violence: Bridging Sociology and Psychology

• In Event: Intimate Partner Violence Theory and Typologies

Abstract

The 1990s saw the introduction of a number of important typologies of intimate partner violence. Michael Johnson’s development of his sociological typology of intimate terrorism, situational couple violence, and violent resistance and Amy Holtzworth-Munroe and colleagues’ psychological typology of family-only, dysphoric/borderline, and antisocial batterers both recognize the importance of the heterogeneity inherent in this social problem. Research utilizing these typologies, however, remains in its infancy and is in need of continued theoretical testing and revision. The current study presents an empirical test of the connection between these two typologies, particularly examining the hypothesis that family-only batterers are likely to be perpetrators of situational couple violence while dysphoric/borderline and antisocial batterers are likely intimate terrorists. I utilize event history calendar data collected through interviews with violent offenders in a Midwestern prison. The 36 month calendars allow for examination of both temporal patterns in violence and variable situational factors leading to reported violent incidents. The current study therefore also extends understandings of the situational causes for offending behavior that have traditionally been defined by more distal factors. Implications for shelter, batterer, and policing intervention strategies are discussed.

Author

• Alyssa Howard-Tripp, Pennsylvania State University