Progress 09/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Deceased 10/2004
Impacts
These data suggest that some level of abuse is common among divorcing parents, even if there has been no prior history. Courts and other agencies that intervene at the time of divorce should begin treating divorcing parents as couples and not two indenpendent individuals. The data also suggest to counselors the specific strengths of women who recover mostly easily as well as provviding profiles of men who may be at higher risk for some type of abuse during the divorce process.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Even though co-parenting is increasingly being mandated for divorcing couples, many parents are unable to successfully coparent and experience substantial verbal and physical abuse during and after the marital dissolution process. For example divorced women represent10% of the female population, yet they experience 75% of all domestic violence. In spite of the magnitude of this problem, little research attention has been given to understanding the dynamics of such abuse and how women deal with such conflict in their adjustment process. It was the purpose of this study to test two theoretical models: (a) one predicting male abuse in the divorce process and (b) another predicting women's adjustment. The sample was purposively selected from the divorce records in two Ohio Counties -- one rural and one urban. The sample consisted of 129 males and 147 females who were surveyed by mail. Ohe half of these individuals had demonstrated a marital history of spousal abuse
(indicated by public records), indicating greater conflict and potential for violence. A subsample of 20 male and 20 female survey respondents who experienced violence in the divorce process were interviewed in-depth. The men and women were not married to each other, but were very similar on salient demographic variables. Survey respondents received $20 for their involvement; interviewed participants received 50 for thier participation. Quantitative data anlysis generally supported the theoretical models with coparenting conflict, high masculinity scores, low social support, alcohol abuse, and continued attachment to the former spouse serving as major predictors of male abuse. The female model of adjustment and recovery was also supported with coparetal conflict, attachment to former spouse, economic dependence and lack of psychological mastery were related to their ultimate adjustment. There were no rural/urban or SES differences.
Impacts
These data suggest that some level of abuse is common among divorcing parents, even if there has been no prior history. Courts and other agencies that intervene at the time of divorce should begin treating divorcing parents as couples and not two indenpendent individuals. The data also suggest to counselors the specific strengths of women who recover mostly easily as well as provviding profiles of men who may be at higher risk for some type of abuse during the divorce process.
Publications
- McKenry, P. C., & Toews, M. (2003). Male initiated partner abuse during marital separation prior to divorce. Violence and Victims, 18, 387-402.
- Toews, M. (2001). Male-initiated partner abuse during marital separation prior to divorce. Dissertation, The Ohio State University.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The sample ofr the study has been collected: parents of children under age 18 who divorced in the past two years in Franklin or Marion Counties, Ohio (n = 129 males; 147 females). Using multiple regression, it was found that men's verbal abuse, lack of social support, masculine gender role ideology, alcohol use, and lingering attachment to the former spouse were most predictive of men's postdivorce conflict with their former spouse. Women's ability to avoid postdivorce abusive relationships was related to history of marital violence, psychological mastery, self-esteem, economic independence, and secure attachment style.
Impacts
It is expected that the findings from this study will help the Ohio Supreme Court in its decision making regarding mandated joint custody, mediation, and parent education.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Multiple regression analysis indicated that men's postseparation abuse of a former spouse is best predicted by history of marital violence, attachment to former spouse, a traditional masculine gender ideology, dissatisfaction with the divorce settlement agreement, and use of alcohol. Women's postidivorce recovery was most strongly related to economic well-being, psychological mastery, loss of attachment to spouse, and history of marital violence. The majority of the subjects reported physical abuse in their marriage and during the separation period. The postdivorce period was characterized by a 10-20% incidence of violence, but a majority experienced verbal abuse postdivorce.
Impacts
These data indicate that abuse, which is a common reason for divorce, does not necessarily end upon divorce. Programs that facilitate coparenting after divorce (i.e., mediation, divorce education, and joint legal custody) may not be appropropriate for all. Assessments of those most at risk for postseparation and postdivorce abuse can be predicted.
Publications
- Toews, M. (2001). Male-initiated partner abuse during marital separation prior to divorce. Doctoral Dissertation, The Ohio State University.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Survey of 247 divorced individuals have been completed, and the data have been entered and prelimiinary analysis begun. Qualitative interviews of a subset of 20 men and 20 women also have been completed and are being imputted for analysis. Preliminary quantitative findings provide support for gender/empowerment theory. Male psychological abuse was predicted by marital abuse, male gender ideology, higher levels of social support, and poorer psychological adjustment. Male physical abuse was predicted by male gender ideology and poorer psychological adjustment.
Impacts
Data analysis thus far indicates that physical and psychological abuse often accompany divorce and can be predicted by gender/empowerment theory. These findings would suggest that courts consider the probability of and be aware of risk factors for abuse in custody, mediation, conciliation counseling, and other settlement processes.
Publications
- McKenry, P. C. et al. (2000). Nature and consequences of violence against women in the context of divorce: A gendered perspective. In Ohio Department of Mental Health (Ed.), New research in mental health pp. 185-194). Columbus, OH: State of Ohio.
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