NCJ Number
136606
Editor(s)
M A Straus,
R J Gelles
Date Published
1992
Length
644 pages
Annotation
This book, targeted at researchers and academics, brings together papers and articles describing the methods and results of two landmark studies: the National Family Violence Survey of 1975 and the National Family Violence Resurvey of 1985. These surveys still provide the best available data on the high rates of child and spouse abuse in the U.S.
Abstract
The first section focuses on research and methodology issues in the study of family violence. Two of the chapters describe and critique the widely used Conflict Tactics Scale. The second section of the book discusses incidence and trends in domestic assault, addressing issues including the rates of family violence; societal changes as measured by the two surveys; and incidence rates of child abuse by age, gender, and occupational class. The chapters comprising the third part examine various aspects of the social psychology of family violence, focusing on gender differences, causes of marital stress and its relationship to assault, and the relationship between drinking and violence. Family organization in terms of marriage, family structure, maternal employment, pregnancy, and marital power, can contribute to family violence. Societal factors are also analyzed, including race, ethnic group, class, and patriarchy. The final two sections cover the aftermath of family violence and the prevention of family violence. 2 appendixes