Psy. D., Antioch University, 2009, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

Recent meta-analytic studies, looking at outcome research of perpetrator intervention programs for intimate partner violence, have concluded that treatment has little to no effect on recidivism. There is a lot of skepticism about the effectiveness of treatment for perpetrators of intimate partner violence, and some are even skeptical that these perpetrators are capable of change. There is a need for a new, more-in-depth approach to the study of change in intimate partner violence. To get a better picture of change, this research study breaks with the prevailing quantitative approach focused on recidivism, and returns to a qualitative, grounded-theory approach focused on understanding the change process from the perspectives of intimate partners (perpetrators and their victims.) This study focused on the stories and experiences of 7 heterosexual, domestic couples. Each of these couples experienced violence in their relationship and received intervention and/or support services specifically addressing this violence. Each of these couples had been free of physical violence for more than a year and showed some positive change in intimate partner violence. Some perpetrators had demonstrated profoundly significant change after many years in the process, and yet, all were still in the process of change. A 5-stage model of change resulted, based on grounded-theory qualitative analysis. The model was named the Change Model of Intimate Partner Violence (CMIPV). It is based on 126 years of collective personal experiences of the change process. Their experiences were communicated through 14 hours of interviews, resulting in 300 transcription pages. The content of these interviews was reduced to 330 descriptions of change, 130 descriptions of contributing factors, and 123 descriptions of the process. The CMIPV that emerged from this analyis opened the door to new ways of thinking about change in intimate partner violence. The CMIPV may be foundational for perpetrator intervent (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Patricia Linn Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Nancy Murphy D.Min. (Committee Member); Liang Tien Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2024, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

Although the co-occurrence rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child abuse and neglect (CAN) is about 40% (Appel and Holden, 1998; Herrenkohl et al., 2008), little research currently exists on integrated treatment for these concerns. Furthermore, no known published studies investigate child protective services (CPS) workers' perspectives on such treatment. The present study explores the perspectives of CPS workers on treatment for co-occurring IPV and CAN, specifically focusing on Multisystemic Therapy for Intimate Partner Violence (MST-IPV). A total of 18 Connecticut CPS workers participated in semi-structured interviews. Seven participants had experience working with MST-IPV treatment providers, while 11 participants had no experience with MST-IPV. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, resulting in five main themes: “Complexity of IPV Cases,” “Recommending What's Available Rather Than What's Best,” “Varied Treatment Effectiveness,” “Importance of Digging Deep,” and “Above and Beyond.” The findings of this study highlight CPS worker satisfaction with MST-IPV and underscore the importance of developing, researching, and funding treatments for co-occurring IPV and CAN.

Committee: William Heusler PsyD (Committee Chair); Jude Bergkamp PsyD (Committee Member); Cynthia Cupit Swenson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Therapy

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2024, Sociology

This study examines the relationship between natural disasters and extreme weather events (ND/EWEs) and the incidence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Texas from 2018 to 2020. Utilizing a series of mixed-effects negative binomial regression models and data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the research investigates the impact of various ND/EWEs on general violence, and specifically SGBV incidents. Key findings reveal that extreme heat events are significantly associated with an increase in general violence, violence against women (VAW), and intimate partner violence (IPV), indicating that heat acts as a stressor contributing to the escalation of SGBV. Conversely, winter storms are associated with a decrease in IPV, suggesting a potential reduction in violence during these weather conditions. The study underscores the importance of incorporating environmental factors into the analysis of SGBV and suggests the need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate the risks of violence in the aftermath of ND/EWEs. This research contributes to the understanding of the complex dynamics between environmental disasters and societal violence, with implications for public health and disaster response strategies.

Committee: Hollie Nzitatira (Committee Co-Chair); Chris Browning (Committee Member); Laura Dugan (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Criminology; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Social Welfare

Each year in the United States, approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), and 7.1 million children fall victim to child maltreatment, in their homes. Not only are these childhood violence exposures serious concerns alone, but they often co-occur, with child maltreatment happening in approximately 30-60% of households where IPV is taking place. Among several of their deleterious outcomes, both violence exposures have been linked with adolescent dating violence (ADV). However, despite the significance of these issues, several gaps exist in the literature, including inconsistent measurement IPV exposure and ADV research, with varying results specific to ADV perpetration, limited child maltreatment and ADV studies, and no existing studies assessing the impact of IPV exposure and child maltreatment co-occurrence on ADV. These limitations are exacerbated by a lack of theoretically grounded studies, particularly examining mechanisms explaining the relations between childhood IPV exposure, child maltreatment, and ADV. To address these gaps, this dissertation comprises three distinct yet connected studies within the fields of childhood IPV exposure, child maltreatment, and ADV. In studies one and two, theoretically driven conceptual models were tested using moderated mediation structural equation modeling with data from the National Survey of Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence (STRiV) to identify potential points of prevention and intervention in the relations between childhood IPV exposure, child maltreatment, co-occurrence of both, and ADV perpetration. In study three, a systematic review and evaluation of existing measurement approaches in the field of IPV exposure and ADV was conducted, resulting in recommendations for the field moving forward. In studies one and two, one theoretically driven, potential point of intervention was identified: youth mental health quality. Study three identified several recommendations for the (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Laura Voith (Committee Chair); Christopher Burant (Committee Member); Marjorie Edguer (Committee Member); Megan Holmes (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Work

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Criminal Justice

Survivors of domestic violence (DV) often experience several adverse mental and physical health outcomes related to their victimization, including physical injury. While several factors, such as perpetrator substance use and history of mental illness, have been associated with an increased risk of DV, it is less clear whether these factors contribute to the victim experiencing a physical injury in these incidents. Using an integrated theoretical framework that combines social disorganization theory (SDT) and ecological systems theory (EST), this dissertation aims to examine the risk of victim injury in DV cases using multilevel modeling techniques to explore the role of both individual and neighborhood characteristics. The data for this dissertation originates from three different sources: the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) calls for service data, official Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) incident data, and U.S. Census data. Individual-level variables examined include victim demographics, victim histories of abuse, perpetrator history of DV convictions, perpetrator substance use, and perpetrator mental illness. In comparison, neighborhood-level variables include social disorganization measures such as concentrated disadvantage, racial/ethnic heterogeneity, and residential instability. Finally, implications for this research include reducing injury in DV cases and providing justification for the continued funding of second-responder violence intervention programs such as DVERT.

Committee: Valerie Anderson Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Cory Haberman Ph.D. (Committee Member); Bonnie Fisher Ph.D. (Committee Member); Leah Daigle Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2023, Psychology

While child sexual abuse (CSA) has been widely studied in its relation to increased risk for adult sexual victimization, research now suggests a similar link between child psychological maltreatment (CPM) and adult sexual victimization. Of particular interest is the association between CPM and intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV), and the way in which early maladaptive schemas (EMS) related to CPM can be linked to interpersonal behaviors that then increase vulnerability to later victimization. The current study examined how specific EMSs and maladaptive interpersonal behaviors contribute to risk for later IPSV. We hypothesized that CPM would indirectly predict IPSV serially via the shame schema and non-assertive behavior. Additionally, we hypothesized that CPM would indirectly predict IPSV serially via the subjugation schema and overly accommodating behavior. Hypotheses were tested with data collected from 547 college age women. Serial mediation analyses showed that CPM significantly predicted IPSV risk via the shame schema, and separately via the subjugation schema and overly accommodating behavior. A post-hoc serial mediation analysis showed that CPM significantly predicted IPSV via the shame schema, the subjugation schema, and overly accommodating behavior. These findings suggest that maladaptive interpersonal schemas and behaviors play a role in the relation between CPM and IPSV.

Committee: Terri Messman (Advisor); Elizabeth Kiel (Committee Member); Vrinda Kalia (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2023, Social Work

Domestic violence is a prevalent issue with extensive impacts. For some, abuse greatly threatens immediate safety and survivors are forced to flee their homes to seek refuge in domestic violence shelters. These shelters address immediate environmental, social, and emotional concerns, helping guide survivors through recovery. Like all people, survivors encompass a wide range of intersecting identities and backgrounds, inevitably making their recovery experience individualized. In particular, mother-survivors staying in domestic violence shelters face unique challenges as restrictions are placed on them which make parenting more difficult and in turn hinder parts of their recovery. Through qualitative interviews conducted with mother-survivors and staff members of domestic violence shelters, this study examines the unique challenges and strengths of mothers recovering from abuse in a domestic violence shelter. Findings reveal that the shelter supervision and discipline policies inhibit the recovery of mother-survivors. Despite these struggles with child-related policies, however, findings also show that motherhood is an important source of strength in recovery for survivors. Recommendations include promoting survivor-centered, trauma-informed care in shelters, being sympathetic and flexible when communicating and enforcing parenting policies, continuously building up a mother-survivor's self-image, and, if possible, expanding interventions and programming to address the specific needs of mother-survivors.

Committee: Rebekah Crawford (Advisor) Subjects: Social Work

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Educational Studies

Prior research has established the presence of intimate partner violence (IPV) myths and biases among a variety of populations, including mental health professionals. The current study contributes to this body of literature by examining the specific ways in which professional counselors, a group of professionals likely to encounter victims of IPV, responded to a vignette that described a victim of IPV as juxtaposed to vignettes that described a victim of a hit-and-run and a mugging. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify what IPV myths and biases professional counselors expressed as they responded to these vignettes. Additionally, this study explored patterns between professional counselors' demographics, professional experiences, and personal experiences and the narratives they expressed when responding to the vignettes. A total of nine participants were included in the study. Narrative strategies were used to compare and contrast participants' narratives. Results of the study demonstrate that professional counselors expressed more myths and biases in response to the IPV vignette compared to the hit-and-run and mugging vignettes. Male participants expressed more anti-myth/bias statements about the victim in the IPV scenario than female participants. Participants with more than five years of experience also expressed more anti-myth/bias statements about the victim in the IPV scenario than participants with less than five years of experience. Participants who had professional experience with IPV expressed more pro-myth/bias statements and less anti-myth/bias statements about the victim in the IPV scenario compared to participants with no professional experience with IPV. Lastly, participants who had personal experience with IPV expressed more pro-myth/bias statements and less anti-myth/bias statements about the victim in the IPV scenario compared to participants with no personal experience with IPV. Implications for counselor education training, practi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Colette Dollarhide (Committee Chair) Subjects: Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 0, Psychology

The prevalence and outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrated against men has received limited attention, but there is increasing evidence that men also frequently experience and are harmed by IPV. Recent attempts to account for men's unique IPV experiences suggest that various social stereotypes may negatively influence men's help-seeking and outcomes. The main objective of this study was to assess third-party perception of men who experience physical and psychological IPV. Using vignettes of psychological/physical IPV that varied only in the gender of the perpetrator and victim between conditions presented by video, 168 participants recruited from Amazon's MTurk survey platform and a Midwestern private university's research participant pool were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. Participants reported their emotional response immediately after watching the vignette, followed by perceptions of the IPV victim and perpetrator. Data were analyzed using 2 (participant gender) x 2 (victim gender) ANOVAS. All participant groups reported less negative affect after viewing IPV perpetrated against a man versus against a woman, and male IPV victims were rated as deserving of less sympathy, less in need of medical, psychological, and legal help, less successful, powerful, and socially desirable, and possessing a lower degree of positive personality characteristics than female IPV victims. Post-hoc analyses regarding perpetrator criminality and fit with the “victim” label are also completed. This study's findings call for further research into the unique interpersonal and intrapersonal stereotyping that is likely repressing men's help-seeking and outcomes in IPV victimization.

Committee: Kathleen Hart (Committee Chair); Karl Stukenberg (Committee Member); Anne Fuller (Committee Member) Subjects: Mental Health; Psychology

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2020, Communication and Development Studies (International Studies)

This research aims to expand knowledge on the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer(LBTQ) women and gender non-conforming (GNC) people with intimate partner violence (IPV) in the understudied Global South, with a focus on individuals in Jamaica. The study examines the perceptions which LBTQ people hold toward IPV, unique factors which contribute to IPV within their relationships, and barriers to help-seeking which LBTQ people face when seeking support services in Jamaica. A qualitative methodological approach was used, and data collected through 13 semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed. Findings indicate that three factors impact LBTQ women and GNC people's perceptions of, and experiences with IPV. These factors are 1) negative public perceptions of LBTQ and GNC people, 2) the adoption of heteronormativity by LBTQ and GNC people, and 3) LBTQ and GNC people's experiences with Jamaican mental health services. These findings were used to make recommendations for the development of evidence-based, IPV prevention and intervention programmes for LBTQ and GNC communities in Jamaica, and the wider Caribbean.

Committee: Risa Whitson (Advisor); Loran Marsan (Committee Member); Lawrence Wood (Committee Member) Subjects: Caribbean Studies; Communication; Gender; Gender Studies; Public Health; Womens Studies

Master of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 2019, Social Work

There is a lack of research on the resilience experiences of non-binary survivors (NBS) of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault. The primary aim of this study is to highlight the resilience experiences of NBS from their own knowledge, experiences and perceptions related to exploring identities, experiences with trauma, coping mechanisms and social support. NBS (N = 5) participated in an in-depth semi-structured interview. Data was analyzed using Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software. The findings highlight the resilience experiences of NBS and the need for affirming spaces as non-binary people and as survivors. Implications for social workers, agencies, support services, policy change and future research are discussed. An affirming space focusing on resilience is highly recommended to bridge the gap between service systems and NBS and to help NBS find new ways of healing.

Committee: Cecilia Mengo (Advisor); Sharvari Karandikar (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Work; Womens Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Social Work

Women who endure intimate partner violence (IPV) are likely to experience employment instability or loss of paid work time and unemployment as a result of their abuse. When women who experience IPV, particularly those who are mothers, are impacted by employment instability they may become financially dependent on abusive partners. The current convergent mixed-methods dissertation investigated the longitudinal relationship between intimate partner violence, the unique workplace experiences of survivors, and three forms of survivors' employment instability using a convergent mixed methods design. Using a latent growth curve model, the current study investigated the impact of IPV on mothers' employment trajectories in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing (FFCW) study over the span of eight years. Three outcomes of employment were selected for the analysis based on their use in previous literature: hours worked per week, annual weeks worked, and employment status. Unconditional growth curve models revealed that all outcomes had significant variation at time one between individuals' employment as well as a significant increase in employment over time. Conditional growth curve models revealed a significant effect of IPV on time two annual weeks worked as well as employment status, indicating that mothers were most likely to experience employment instability when they had a three-year-old child. The conditional model for employment status also revealed that IPV at time two has a six year lagged effect on employment status. Interviews with individual survivors of IPV were also conducted for this study in a large Midwestern city. Participants receiving services at a partner agency were interviewed about their experiences of employment instability, workplace disruptions (including with technology), and their perceptions of policy and practices that employers use to support employees experiencing abuse. Findings revealed that survivors suffered a range of employment (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kathryn Maguire Jack (Committee Chair); Susan Yoon (Committee Member); Njeri Kagatho (Committee Member); Sharvari Karandikar (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Work; Womens Studies

MA, Kent State University, 2018, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

Grounded in family systems and attachment theories, the purpose of this study was to explore the associations between the associations between interparental violence (IPV), child-mother attachment and parental relationship stability. A casual-comparative design addressed the following research questions: a) what is the association between interparental violence and child-mother attachment for preschool children? b) does child-mother attachment predict parental relationship stability? and c) does interparental violence predict parental relationship stability? Utilizing 1,237 maternal self-reports from a large, nationally representative dataset, this sample reported generally low levels of IPV, high frequencies of secure child-mother attachment, and parental relationships which were primarily maintained over two-years. Analyses revealed that the association between IPV and attachment for the current sample is not statistically significant. However, psychological and physical IPV pointed to an increased likelihood of insecure child-mother attachment, whereas sexual IPV pointed towards an increased likelihood of secure child-mother attachment. Data also revealed that IPV is a significantly stronger predictor of parental relationship status than child-mother attachment. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Committee: Rhonda Richardson (Advisor) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Families and Family Life; Individual and Family Studies

Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 2017, Systems Biology and Bioinformatics

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent issue that results in overwhelming physical and mental health consequences. It is also known that majority of victims su¿er from blunt force in the head, neck and the face area. Injuries to head and neck are among the causes for traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI often linked to neurological conditions and permanent behavioral disorders. In this study, we aim to characterize the key associations between IPV and TBI by mining de-identified electronic health records (EHR) data from the Explorys platform. We formulate a novel, data-driven, three-step analytical method to find key health associations by comparing prevalent health conditions among IPV, TBI, and six control cohorts. Our analysis suggests that health effects attributed to substance and alcohol abused livers are highly significant in contributing IPV and TBI interplay. Our results would greatly assist in improving existing screening, diagnostic, and treatment procedures of IPV-induced TBI victims, especially with increasing risk correlated with substance and alcohol abuse.

Committee: Mehmet Koyuturk Ph.D (Advisor); Gunnur Karakurt Ph.D (Committee Member); William Bush Ph.D (Committee Member) Subjects: Bioinformatics; Clinical Psychology; Public Health

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2017, Sociology

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) impacts thousands of American women every year. This study examines the effect of law enforcement training to improve police officers' attitudes towards victims, and the race or ethnicity of an IPV victim, on her willingness to involve police in future IPV assaults. I propose that higher satisfaction with past police attitudes leads to a higher willingness to involve police in future IPV assaults. I also propose that victims with higher levels of education and paid employment will be more willing to involve police. Data were collected from 547 IPV victims receiving assistance from service providers in New York and Texas. Logit regression was used to examine the relationship between satisfaction with past police attitudes, respondent's education level, and employment status for the full sample. In addition, by adopting an intersectional analytical approach, I examine these variables using White-, Black-, and Latina-specific models. Results indicate that higher levels of satisfaction with past police attitudes increases an IPV victim's willingness for future police involvement. The effects of the independent variables operate differently for White, Black, and Latina victims. This study suggests that general police training to develop more compassionate attitudes towards IPV victims does increase an IPV victims' desire to involve police in the future, although there are variations by race and ethnicity. Social policy should consider how IPV victims are affected by intersections of gender, race or ethnicity, and social class.

Committee: Matthew Lee Ph.D. (Advisor); Kathryn Feltey Ph.D. (Committee Member); Stacey Nofziger Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Criminology; Sociology; Womens Studies

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2016, Leadership and Change

This study explored the lived experiences of 15 incarcerated men with a history of intimate partner violence. This qualitative grounded theory study revealed the impact significant loss in childhood, the most critical being the loss of a parent, had on these men. The results showed a significant loss set in motion a series of adaptive and maladaptive interpersonal behaviors with significant others, primarily parents and intimate partners that continued through adulthood and incarceration. The grounded theory dimensional analysis revealed five primary dimensions that described the dominant social processes described by the participants. These processes were: seeking, overcoming, blaming, controlling, and disengaging behaviors. The consequences of these interpersonal behaviors led only to disappointment, disillusionment, addiction, promiscuity, rage, violence and ultimately serving a sentence in a correctional institution. The current study broadens the scope for exploring intimate partner violence in illuminating that intimate partner violence is perpetrated through a variety of crimes. Having an understanding of how incarcerated men with a history of intimate partner violence exhibit cyclical behaviors that escalate in violence has implications for departments of correction in their efforts to break a pattern of recidivism and address successful reentry of male intimate partner offenders into society. The electronic version of this dissertation is at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu

Committee: Elizabeth Holloway Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Laura Morgan Roberts Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Lawson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Shana Hormann Ph.D. (Other) Subjects: Criminology; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Rehabilitation; Social Research

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2015, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a preventable health problem that has multiple effects on the family, including the youngest member of the family, the child. For many years children were not recognized as having detrimental consequences of IPV. Now that it is recognized that children suffer from the negative effects of IPV, it is important to examine how and when exposure to IPV is associated with the development of children. This study uses the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study to examine the socioemotional development of children exposed to IPV from birth to 9 years old. Using structural equation modeling, latent growth curve models were conducted to analyze internalizing and externalizing problems at age 3, 5, and 9. Children who were exposed to IPV, whether it be a violent and controlling or a controlling only relationship, had more internalizing and externalizing problems. Also, the earlier and longer the child was exposed to IPV, the more socioemotional problems the child had. Identifying the critical time period of externalizing and internalizing problems for children exposed to IPV is crucial for intervention techniques and child victims' long-term development. Every child should be able to develop to their fullest potential, by targeting intervention efforts at those critical time points, it could allow for children to live up to their full promise.

Committee: Claire Kamp Dush PhD (Advisor); Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Demography; Developmental Psychology; Early Childhood Education; Families and Family Life

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2015, Public Health

Background: Gender-based violence exposure is associated with smoking. Both gender-based violence and smoking are independent risk factors in the development of cervical cancer. Women living in Ohio Appalachia experience cervical cancer at disproportionately high rates and smoke at higher rates than women living in other regions of Ohio. However, little is known about 1) women's exposure to gender-based violence, throughout the life course, in Ohio Appalachia, or 2) the association between gender-based violence exposures, contextual factors, and smoking behaviors among women in the region. Objective: This dissertation examined the relationship between sexual and intimate partner gender-based violence exposures and smoking, among women in Ohio Appalachia, within a socio-contextual health disparities framework. The goal of this investigation was: 1) to understand if disparate smoking rates of women in Ohio Appalachia, compared to other parts of Ohio, are associated with gender-based violence in the region, and 2) to examine the context of smoking behavior among women exposed to intimate partner and/or sexual gender-based violence in Ohio Appalachia. In addition, a set of gender-based violence constructs for use in effective abuse assessment among this underserved population were identified. Method: A two-phase address-based sampling approach was used to recruit a random sample of women, 18 years of age or older, from 1 of 3 selected Ohio Appalachian counties, to participate in an observational, interview administered, cross-sectional survey from August 2012 through October 2013. The analytic sample for this analysis comprised 398 participants, of the 408 women completing interviews, who provided complete gender-based violence exposure histories. All analyses were conducted in SAS or LISREL, including correlation, regression, and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Intimate partner and sexual gender-based violence is a notable public health c (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mary Ellen Wewers PhD, MPH (Committee Chair); Amy Bonomi PhD, MPH (Committee Member); Richard Lomax PhD (Committee Member); Bo Lu PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Public Health; Womens Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2014, Sociology

Past research has examined the phenomenon of intimate partner violence (IPV), with recent increased focus on IPV among adolescents and young adults. Moreover, prior work examining IPV among young adults often looks at familial factors such as child maltreatment, and current relationship dynamics such as jealousy and control, but does not consider these two domains simultaneously. This is potentially problematic, as individuals’ relationships in multiple domains are affected by their socialization experiences within the family. Relatedly, research examining family effects on IPV often focus solely on childhood maltreatment and interparental aggression, failing to include other meaningful aspects of family life, such as the parent-child relationship. Finally, while trajectory analyses have been conducted in the past, most are confined to IPV occurring among older adults. Given the highly fluid and complex nature of adolescence and young adulthood, the examination of IPV across time may be especially insightful during these stages of the life course. Using five waves of longitudinal data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS), the current project relies on social learning and life course theories to investigate the antecedents and trajectories of adolescent and young adult experiences with IPV perpetration and victimization. Results from fixed-effects, random-effects and growth-curve analyses indicate both parental violence (i.e. child maltreatment) and parentchild relationship quality (PCRQ) are significant and independent predictors of IPV reports. Interestingly, though, both parental violence and PCRQ are more predictive of males’ experiences with IPV than females’. Findings also demonstrate that as jealousy and control, cheating, verbal aggression, arguments, and partner mistrust increase in frequency or severity, so too does the likelihood of both IPV perpetration and victimization. However, contributing to previous research (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Alfred DeMaris (Committee Chair); Peggy Giordano (Committee Member); Wendy Manning (Committee Member); Monica Longmore (Committee Member); Sherri Horner (Other) Subjects: Social Research; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2015, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

The current study assessed and integrated theories for Unwanted Pursuit Behaviors (UPBs), including real-life UPBs (e.g., following, showing up in places unexpectedly), and cyber UPBs (e.g., sending threatening text messages, monitoring a person's Facebook account). Theories tested included: attachment theory, the investment model theory, relational goal pursuit theory, and coercive control theory, and included variables such as self-control and emotion regulation difficulties which are postulated to underlie these theories. Whereas models predicting individual forms of cyber and real-life stalking showed different correlates of each form, results of an integrated model demonstrated that, whereas the coercive control model best predicts threatening forms of real-life and cyber UPBs, relational goal pursuit variables, and indirectly, investment model variables, best predict real-life and cyber unwanted contact/checking UPBs. Whereas the predictors varied by type (unwanted contact compared to threatening UPBs), the predictors for each modality of UPB (real-life or cyber) were similar. This pattern suggests that threatening UPBs are motivated by anger and desire for power/control, whereas unwanted contact/checking UPBs are motivated by desperate desires to maintain or reclaim loving relationships. Longitudinal research is needed to replicate the integrated model with consideration of temporal sequence; however, the current results emphasize the need for intervention in dating violence to prevent threatening UPBs when violent relationships are terminated. In addition, greater attention should be given to individuals who are the recipient of break-ups, because even if they do not engage in threatening post-break-up behaviors, those who engage in excessive and unwanted contact as a result of commitment and rumination about former partners are engaging in behaviors that are likely not in line with their desired goal (i.e., of reuniting with their former partners), and like (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Christine Gidycz PhD (Advisor); Julie Suhr PhD (Committee Member); Timothy Anderson PhD (Committee Member); Brian Wymbs PhD (Committee Member); Thomas Vander Ven PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology