Prevalence and Characteristics of Psychological Abuse Reported by Court-Involved Battered Women

Problem

The problem the study aimed to address: 

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of psychological abuse within intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly among women entering the criminal justice system. While physical abuse has been extensively studied, the occurrence and consequences of psychological abuse—either alongside or independent of physical violence—remain under-researched.

General impact on the system and/or public: 

Psychological abuse, which often accompanies physical aggression, has significant consequences for victims’ emotional functioning and safety. Understanding its dynamics can inform criminal justice responses and victim support services.

Research Questions:

1. What is the prevalence of psychological abuse among court-involved battered women?
2. What offender characteristics are associated with psychological abuse?
3. How does psychological abuse, independent of physical aggression, influence victims’ perceptions and responses?
4. Does the combination of psychological and physical abuse exacerbate its impact on victims?
    

Method and Analysis

Program Evaluated: 

The study addressed gaps in understanding the prevalence, offender characteristics, and impacts of psychological abuse in a sample of court-involved battered women. It also examined how psychological abuse interacts with physical violence.
 

Data and Sample Size: 

• Sample Size: 3,370 women who reported intimate partner violence perpetrated by male offenders.
• Demographics: Predominantly minority victims (80.9%) and offenders (82.9%) in a Southern metropolitan area.
   

Analysis Used:

The study employed descriptive statistics, correlations, and logistic regression models to analyze data from structured victim interviews. Key measures included scales for psychological and physical abuse severity, offender demographics, and victims’ perceptions and responses.
 

Outcome

Key Findings:

1. Prevalence: 80% of women reported prior psychological abuse, with a substantial overlap with physical aggression (93%). However, 21% experienced psychological abuse without physical violence.
2. Offender Characteristics: Psychological abuse was more prevalent among offenders with histories of substance abuse, employment issues, prior arrests, and deviant peer associations.
3. Victim Impact: Psychological abuse alone significantly influenced victims’ perceptions of threat and decisions to leave the relationship. Combined psychological and physical abuse further amplified these effects.
4. Independent Effects: Psychological abuse had measurable impacts independent of physical violence, highlighting its role in victims’ emotional and relational responses.
    

Implications or Recommendations: 

• Psychological abuse must be assessed independently in IPV cases to understand its full impact.
• Criminal justice and victim advocacy programs should address the unique needs of victims of psychological abuse.
• Interventions for offenders should include education on the harms of psychological abuse.
• Researchers should incorporate psychological abuse measures in domestic violence studies to improve intervention strategies.

This research highlights the critical need to broaden the scope of IPV studies and interventions to include the distinct and severe impacts of psychological abuse.