Normative misperceptions of abuse among perpetrators of intimate partner violence

Violence Against Women. 2010 Apr;16(4):370-86. doi: 10.1177/1077801210363608. Epub 2010 Mar 3.

Abstract

This research was designed to evaluate the applicability of social norms approaches to interventions with male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants included 124 nonadjudicated IPV perpetrating men recruited from the general population who completed assessment of their own IPV behaviors via telephone interviews and estimated the prevalence of behaviors in other men. Results indicated that IPV perpetrators consistently overestimated the percentage of men who engaged in IPV and that their estimates were associated with violence toward their partner over the past 90 days. Findings provide preliminary support for incorporating social norms approaches into clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Attitude*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires