Predictors Of Husband To Wife Violence :: essays research papers

Article: Feldbau-Khon, S., Heyman, R., and O’Leary, K. (1998). Major depressive disorder and depressive symptomatology as predictors of husband to wife physical abuse. Violence and Victims, 13, 347-359. Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The work of Feldbau-Khon, S., Heyman, R., and O’Leary, K. is described in the article, â€Å"Major Depressive Disorder and Depressive Symptomatology as Predictors of Husband to Wife Physical Aggression.† The authors tested the link between a husband’s depressive symptomatology and the frequency of physical aggression toward his wife. Also tested was the husband’s Major Depressive Disorder and the frequency of physical aggression towards his wife. The authors had four hypotheses. 1: Clinically depressed men are more physically aggressive. 2: Depressive symptomatology is associated with frequency of physical aggression. 3: Depressive symptomatology effects on physical aggression are accounted for by other variables. 4: Depressive symptomatology effects on psychological aggression are accounted for by other variables.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The study assessed physically aggressive men who volunteered for treatment with their wives. Participants responded to newspaper announcements offering free therapy for relationship conflicts. All spouses completed three-hour assessments consisting of structured interviews and self-report measures. Almost one third had moderate levels of depressive symptomatology, but only 11% met the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Although a significant relationship between increased depressive symptomatology and frequency of physical aggression was found, the relationship was most likely accounted for by self- reported anger. Weaknesses   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One weakness with this study is the makeup of the sample. The racial composition of the sample was 1.3% Black, 1.3% Asian, and 97% White. No Hispanics were included in the study although Hispanic men are also sometimes very violent to their wives. The sample should have had more diversity, not be made up almost entirely of Whites. Some races are more naturally violent than others are because its part of their culture. Using mostly whites in this study taints it because different depression could be a major factor affecting the physical violence of whites but perhaps not men of other races.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another weakness of this study is that it is never mentioned whether or not any of the subjects were taking any sort of medication. Many types of medications, for example any type Serotonin inhibitor, can affect violent behavior.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fact that the subjects were volunteers raises an issue. The participants responded to an advertisement for free therapy for relationship conflicts. These people wanted help. They were not ordered by the court to obtain therapy.