Citation

Leisring PA, Dowd L, Rosenbaum A. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2003; 7(1-2): 257-277.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v07n01_11

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The examination of partner aggression perpetrated by women has been a controversial but important development in domestic violence research. Previous studies have suggested that women's use of aggression in romantic relationships may place women at increased risk of being assaulted by their partners. Furthermore, children who witness the aggression may be at increased risk for mental health and behavioral problems. This article describes what we know about the characteristics of partner aggressive women, and how this information might inform our understanding of their behavior and the design of treatment programs to assist them. The group treatment program for partner aggressive woman at the University of Massachusetts Medical School is described in detail. Recommendations about necessary components of treatment for aggressive women and a description of how treatment for female perpetrators should differ from treatment for male batterers are provided. Suggestions are made for future research to evaluate current programs and to further develop and refine effective treatments.