Experienced Abuse versus Chaotic Households: IPV Victimization and Perpetration among Women Prisoners

• In Event: Victims as Offenders, Victimization under Correctional Supervision and State-Sanctioned Violence

Abstract

Using data from the 2014 Oklahoma Study of Incarcerated Women and Their Children (N=359), we use a blended framework drawn from feminist pathway approaches informed by the life course perspective and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study to explore the effects of experienced abuse and chaotic households on intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration among women prisoners. Results show that women who experienced childhood abuse and were exposed to chaotic households were significantly more likely to experience physical abuse and perpetrate physical abuse in their most recent intimate partner relationships prior to prison. Additionally, we also found that the effects of experienced abuse and exposure to chaotic households varied significantly when examining the severity of IPV victimization and perpetration.

Authors

• Melissa Jones, University of Oklahoma

• Susan Sharp, University of Oklahoma

• David McLeod, University of Oklahoma