Exploring the Victim-offender Overlap for Intimate Partners in a Nationally Representative Sample of Young Adults

• In Event: Findings from the Interpersonal Conflict and Resolution (iCOR) Study

Abstract

The “victim-offender overlap” is one of the most consistent findings in criminology. However, little is known about the role of conflict management styles in generating or inhibiting violence and their role in the victim-offender overlap phenomenon. In this paper, we explore the dynamics of a range of disputes and conflict management styles and how such constructs relate to intimate partner violence and the victim-offender overlap. We first describe the prevalence of the victim-offender overlap for key crime categories. Next, we examine different conflict management styles and their role in predicting the presence of victimization, offending or both. We also explore the role that valuing ‘winning a disagreement’ and ‘saving face’ might play in the victim-offender overlap. Data for this study come from a nationally representative sample of young adults ages 18-32. Results provide a new evidence base for the development of prevention programming for young adults involved in aggressive conflicts and help young adults avoid becoming a victim, offender or both.

Authors

• Bruce G Taylor, NORC at the University of Chicago

• Elizabeth A. Mumford, NORC at the University of Chicago

• Mark T Berg, University of Iowa

• Weiwei Liu, NORC at the University of Chicago