Citation

Johnson IM, Sigler RT. J. Crim. Justice 1995; 23(5): 477-487.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(95)00033-M

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Data from a community survey of the public were analyzed to investigate the relationship between public perceptions of the definition of domestic abuse and the willingness to punish spouse abusers and child abusers. The analysis revealed that the definitions of physical abuse, neglect, and psychological abuse were not related to punishment for spouse abuse, but were related to definitions for child abuse. The endorsement of acts of physical abuse and psychological abuse as definitions of child abuse varied with the degrees of support for the punishment of child abuse. As the level of endorsement of behaviors defined as child physical abuse and child psychological abuse increased in severity, subjects' willingness to endorse severe penalties also increased.