Citation

Zou SH, Zhang YL, Cao YP. Chin. Ment. Health J. 2007; 21(5): 338-342.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Hsueh Shu Chi Kan Chu Pan She)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the psychosocial characteristics of the perpetrators and the victims of spouse violence (SV). Methods: 80 families with a history of SV were randomly selected from communities, and their psychosocial characteristics were compared with control group of 96 non--SV families matched for family structure. A self--designed SV questionnaire, the self-report Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Trait Coping Style and Questionnaire (TCSQ) were used in this cross--sectional survey. Results: 65 husbands and 15 wives were identified as perpetrators, correspondingly 65 wives and 15 husbands as victims. The total score and factors scores of SCL-90, EPQ-N score, and scores of subjective social support, objective support and total supports were higher in perpetrators than their counterparts in control group. Negative coping style and EPQ-P score were respectively higher and lower in perpetrators than victims of SV (29.6 ± 8.3/29.5 ± 7.4, t = 2.127, P < 0.05; 65.9 ± 9.6/69.8 ± 12.9, t = 2.185, P < 0.05). The hostility and somatization scores of SCL-90 were respectively higher in perpetrators than their counterparts in controls. EPQ-P score were lower in perpetrators than victims of SV in families with one child. Anxiety score of SCL-90 were lower in perpetrators than victims of SV in families with many children. EPQ-N score were higher in perpetrators than those in controls. Conclusion: Perpetrators are those with neurotic personality, more mental health problems, more negative coping styles. Victims are more anxious and with psychosis personality, which were most highly represented in families with one child. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)