Introduction
Domestic abuse is a relatively complex area in criminology, as it is manifested within a romantic or familial unit. It can be abuse towards a partner, child, an elderly parent, or a spouse. Nonetheless, it is a crime that is often not adequately addressed.
The phenomenon is because it is more likely to be unreported, and due to the typical pattern of abuse involving multiple episodes over an extended period. Needless to say, the severity of domestic abuse requires evidence-based interventions that would address circumstances correlating with the crime. As a result, researchers have been examining potential socioeconomic characteristics that can either predict or have a causal effect on domestic violence.
One of the indicators is one’s economic struggles, as poverty is often linked to an increase in the likelihood of abuse incidents. The current paper is an exemplification of existing evidence on the topic. The research question is: Is domestic abuse unchanged, maximized, or minimized under the condition of poverty? Specifically, the literature highlights that poverty has adverse effects on mental well-being and stress, and victims of domestic abuse are often representatives of lower-income demographics.
Annotated Bibliography
Extensive literature has been published on the aforementioned research question. The aim is to highlight existing evidence and information on the dependent variable, domestic abuse, and the independent variable, poverty. In this case, domestic abuse is the crime that implies violence addressed towards a family member or partner, while poverty is the term highlighted by low-income demographics. Needless to say, each piece of research has applied different measures to define poverty depending on the setting of the study and its objectives, as well as the tools used to measure outcomes.
Research on Domestic Abuse
Pereira, M. U., & Gaspar, R. S. (2021). Socioeconomic factors associated with reports of domestic violence in large Brazilian cities. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. Web.
The article exemplifies the broader topic of domestic abuse. Pereira and Gaspar (2021) have examined certain patterns in the domestic abuse reports in major cities in Brazil. Namely, close to 70,000 reports have been examined based on the type of abuse and common patterns and elements within the cases. It has been determined that victims were more likely to be black women and children under the age of four. Moreover, most of the cases have been facilitated as a result of an abuse episode perpetrated by a boyfriend or partner.
Furthermore, the findings have revealed that poverty is another factor likely to generate a higher likelihood of violent domestic experiences. As a result, the researchers focus on potential interventions, such as addressing socioeconomic inequality, racism, and gender differences, to minimize the cases of domestic violence. The article provides valid information on the fact that socioeconomic variables do, indeed, correlate with a higher likelihood of domestic violence, which directly relates to the research question.
Pereira, M. E., Azeredo, A., Moreira, D., Brandão, I., & Almeida, F. (2020). Personality characteristics of victims of intimate partner violence: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 52. Web.
Domestic abuse has been examined from the perspective of characteristics shared by the victims of the crimes. Pereira et al. (2020) have conducted a study focusing on the personality traits of women in particular. The said women were victims of crimes committed by their intimate partners.
The research is a meta-analysis of existing literature on the topic. The authors found several characteristics that were common among females who have experienced abuse from their partners. Namely, those who experienced violence as children did not have economic independence, lacked social interactions, and were fearful, and were likely to have increased chances of being victims of domestic abuse.
Similarly, abuse has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes in regard to the mental health of victims. Additionally, women who expressed a lack of self-esteem, submissiveness, pacifism, low social support, and high dependency on their partners were also susceptible to being in abusive romantic relationships. The study has concluded that there are certain elements and patterns that can be observed in female victims, one of them being economic dependency on the abuser. Hence, finances do play a role in an increase in risks concerning domestic violence incidents.
Bhona, F. M., Gebara, C. F., Noto, A. R., Vieira, M. T., & Lourenço, L. M. (2019). Socioeconomic factors and intimate partner violence: A household survey. Temas Em Psicologia, 27(1), 205–218. Web.
Research has been conducted regarding socioeconomic factors rather than personality traits in abuse victims. Bhona et al. (2019) have published an article exemplifying characteristics that are associated with a higher likelihood of domestic violence among intimate partners. The current research has also examined female victims only and has collected data from more than 50 women aged between 18 and 60.
The information required for the research was collected through a survey. It was determined that almost 50% of women experienced psychological abuse, 10% physical, and 8% sexual (Bhona et al., 2019). Furthermore, the researchers have determined that women with higher levels of education and socioeconomic characteristics experience lower risks of becoming victims. Hence, women who live in poverty and have no higher education are vulnerable to being exposed to dangerous incidents in intimate relationships.
Based on the three articles that have been selected on the topic of domestic abuse, a dependent variable, both similarities and differences can be identified. In regard to differences, the pieces of research had different scopes. Two of the papers focused on socioeconomic characteristics, while another one exemplified patterns in the personality traits of victims of domestic abuse.
However, the differences do not illustrate a difference in opinions but rather a slight difference in the approach to examining the topic of violence in intimate relationships. The major similarity between the three research articles was the finding that economic characteristics do, indeed, affect the rate of domestic violence incidents. The said finding directly correlates with the research question. All the researchers have determined that women who are either impoverished, dependent economically on their abusers, or from a low-income demographic are more likely to become victims. Other similarities include acknowledging that women as a gender are more prone to becoming abused in intimate relationships, and socioeconomic characteristics as a whole, including low education and family background, can have implications on one’s likelihood of experiencing domestic abuse.
Poverty
Ho, L. L., Li, W. H., Cheung, A. T., Luo, Y., Xia, W., & Chung, J. O. (2022). Impact of poverty on parent–child relationships, parental stress, and parenting practices. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. Web.
Ho et al. (2022) have assessed how poverty impacts the relationship between parents and their children. Referring to the research question, children are often victims of domestic abuse. The authors have applied a mixed method to find patterns concerning poverty and its impact on the aforementioned relationships. The findings have revealed that low economic status and income do, indeed, negatively affect the interactions between children and their caregivers.
The researchers have found the following cause-and-effect link: parents experience financial insecurities, parental stress is maximized, harsh disciplinary measures are adopted, and children develop negative feelings. The conclusions developed by the researchers highlight that individuals who experience economic hardships are more likely to become abusive with their children due to the stress and instability caused by a lack of monetary resources. Hence, poverty leads to domestic abuse in which the children are the victims.
Marbin, D., Gutwinski, S., Schreiter, S., & Heinz, A. (2022). Perspectives in poverty and mental health. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. Web.
Research has been conducted concerning poverty and its connection with mental health. Marbin et al. (2022) have published an article on various levels of poverty and its effects on psychological well-being. The authors have focused on micro, meso, and macro-level poverty, including extreme lack of resources, low-income neighborhoods, and income inequality. The findings reveal that individuals experience difficulties maintaining a healthy psychological state with each level of poverty. Thus, living in low-income areas, experiencing an extreme lack of finances, and being representative of impoverished communities leads to psychological difficulties.
The validity of the article in the context of the current bibliography is the link between mental health and abuse. The two are interconnected, which is why the fact that poverty affects well-being correlates with an increased risk of domestic abuse. Furthermore, the article exemplifies that individuals experiencing financial struggles are more likely to inflict abuse upon their partners, elders, and children.
Silva, Í. de, Cunha, K. da, Ramos, E. M., Pontes, F. A., & Silva, S. S. (2021). Family resilience and parenting stress in poor families. Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas), 38. Web.
The researchers have assessed poverty levels and factors linked to the phenomenon. Silva et al. (2021) have addressed evidence related to the correlation between resilience, parental stress, and poverty. Almost 430 caregivers were assessed regarding reports of stress as well as their socioeconomic data. Moreover, only women participated in the research, which is unique to the current paper. It was determined that women experiencing financial struggles were less resilient and more likely to experience stress in parenting.
Hence, the researchers mention the importance of family dynamics, which is connected to financial status. In conclusion, it is summarized that a woman’s socioeconomic status increases parental stress, which may affect how the children are being treated and the potential abuse they endure. Hence, the piece of research adds to the pool of knowledge regarding the risks of domestic abuse in correlation with lower socioeconomic status and demographics.
Similarities and Differences
Various similarities and differences can be highlighted based on the articles mentioned previously. However, it is essential to notice that differences are less substantial. One of them is the demographic that is being examined regarding domestic violence. Most pieces of research focused on spouse abuse with minor deviations towards child abuse in impoverished families.
Additionally, a variety of socioeconomic factors have been included alongside income. Said measures include the area in which individuals live, education level, and overall demographic. The differences, however, pinpoint the socioeconomic implications when it comes to domestic violence. Hence, they support the argument that poverty is one predictor of the aforementioned dependent variable.
Differences can also be identified in the research articles’ frameworks, models, and designs. Certain researchers have assessed the topic through surveys, while other studies are based on secondary sources that were applied to a meta-analysis. Furthermore, several articles have not been published with the intent or hypothesis to highlight the connection between income and domestic abuse.
For example, Bhona et al. (2019) directly assessed this correlation by determining socioeconomic factors that impact violence in households. Ho et al. (2022), on the other hand, have examined changes in parent-child relationships determined by economic factors. Nonetheless, both studies have concluded that poverty may increase the risk of domestic violence.
Regarding similarities, it is certain that the articles share a similar finding. Specifically, all the aforementioned researchers ultimately came to the conclusion that certain socioeconomic factors impact the rate of domestic violence cases. Both women and children who are in impoverished households are more likely to be subjected to abuse perpetrated by a partner or caregiver.
The overwhelming involvement of socioeconomic factors in regard to an increased rate of domestic abuse is at the core of each of the aforementioned articles within the bibliography. The market was identified in different ways, such as a lack of education, financial dependency, being a minority, and living in an impoverished area. Nonetheless, the economic component is evident, and each of the studies shows an increase in cases of domestic violence that is proportional to a decrease in financial resources.
Conclusion
Extended literature has been identified in the research question mentioned previously. The articles that have been selected to be examined in regard to the dependent variable, domestic abuse, highlight the severity of the problem as well as its link to socioeconomic measures. The independent value, which is poverty, is exemplified in research as impactful in terms of increased risks for domestic abuse. The measures have been identified both for children and spouses who experience the said phenomenon in their relationships.
Overall, existing literature implies that the answer to the question of whether domestic abuse does not change, minimizes, or maximizes abuse is that it maximizes it. Adults and children who are experiencing low income, living in poor neighborhoods, do not have higher education, and are socioeconomic minorities are more likely to be abused by a caregiver or partner. Both articles on poverty and domestic abuse report a link between the two, as well as the magnifying effects of financial issues on the risks of being a victim of domestic abuse.