Predictors Of Husband To Wife Violence :: essays research papers

Article Feldbau-Khon, S., Heyman, R., and OLeary, K. (1998). Major depressive disorder and depressive symptomatology as predictors of husband to wife corporeal abuse. Violence and Victims, 13, 347-359.IntroductionThe work of Feldbau-Khon, S., Heyman, R., and OLeary, K. is described in the article, Major Depressive Disorder and Depressive Symptomatology as Predictors of Husband to Wife Physical Aggression. The authors tested the link mingled with a husbands depressive symptomatology and the frequency of corporal pugnacity toward his wife. Also tested was the husbands Major Depressive Disorder and the frequency of physical aggression towards his wife. The authors had four hypotheses. 1 Clinically depressed workforce are more physically predatory. 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 aggre ssion are accounted for by other variables. The study assessed physically aggressive men who volunteered for treatment with their wives. Participants responded to newspaper announcements offering poverty-stricken 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 except 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. WeaknessesOne 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, no n be made up almost entirely of Whites. many 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(ip) factor affecting the physical violence of whites but perhaps not men of other races.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. 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.