Challenges in the Theoretical Development of Neighborhood Factors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence

• In Event: Understanding Violent Victimization - Advancing Methods and Theory

Abstract

In 1998, Miles-Doan conducted a census tract level study in Duval county, Florida to understand if neighborhood context matters for violence between spouses and intimates (IPV). They found that many of the factors associated with social disorganization theory did not have a significant impact on intimate partner violence rates except for resource deprivation. Resource deprivation indicates other factors that social disorganization theory holds important, such as low collective efficacy, and fewer social ties. These factors have intensified across the country since Miles-Doan’s work in 1998. Additionally, other aspects of social disorganization that are considered important in trying to understand violence rates, for example, are an individual's ability to find gainful employment, and the ability to get to work without public assistance/transport. However, to the best of our knowledge, in the years since 1998, a replication of this study has not been done. Therefore, our team set about replicating this study for the State of New Jersey to identify factors associated with IPV and to examine if Miles-Doan’s findings still hold true. In this presentation we highlight, (i) the data challenges in conducting such a replication, (ii) the limitations of the available data, and (iii) the decisions we had to make as we proceeded with our best attempts to replicate this study. The purpose of this presentation is to guide future researchers who choose to replicate this study. We believe that successful replication of this study in multiple locations will advance theoretical understanding of neighborhood factors associated with IPV, and assist in providing targeted services where they are most needed.

Authors

• Robert Green, Rutgers University, Newark

• Paradorn Wongchanapai, Montclair State University

• Nicholas Flugrad, Jersey Shore University Medical Center

• Maryanne Marshall, Hackensack Meridian Health Network

• Morgan Peltier, Hackensack Meridian Health Network

• Sheetal Ranjan, Montclair State University