| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 883077 | Journal of Criminal Justice | 2010 | 7 Pages |
ObjectiveThis study examines the mechanisms that connect self-control and domestic violence with a specific focus given to the influence of bad parenting and general criminal behavior.MethodsThe authors used data from a community-based sample of 375 respondents. Path analysis was conducted exploring whether bad parenting (as measured by child victimization) or general criminal behavior linked self-control and partner violence together.ResultsThe results showed a link between self-control and partner violence. The results also showed that while child victimization is related to partner abuse, it does not appear to be the link between self-control and domestic violence. General criminal histories, however, appear to be a link between self-control and partner violence.ConclusionsEfforts to treat partner abusers should focus on raising their self-control levels by focusing on general characteristics of abusers rather than specific experiences of child maltreatment. Criminal justice responses should be targeted to addressing offenders self-control levels through measures that provide an “external conscience” (Jenuwine et al., 2003) for offenders. Partner abusers should be viewed and treated as general types of criminals rather than specific types of offenders. The precise influence of bad parenting, and strategies to define bad parenting in self-control research, remain in question.
Research Highlights►This research found a link between self-control and partner violence, but the ties were not explained by bad parenting strategies. ►Child victimization was found to be related to domestic violence as an adult, but the experience of child victimization does not appear to be the link between self-control and partner abuse. ►The link between self-control and partner violence appears to be general criminal histories. ►The results suggest that partner abusers should be treated as general types of offenders, with an aim towards increasing their levels of self-control.
