A Full Overview on Domestic Abuse Studies

Domestic violence is very prevalent in the United States; due to its frequency and severity, domestic violence is often the subject of various research and studies. Researchers, scientists, psychologists, and anthropologists invest a great deal of time and valuable resources into studying the possible causes and the detrimental effects of domestic violence, spousal abuse, and family abuse. They have explored possible evolutionary rationale that may help to explain the frequent occurrence of domestic violence. Psychologists and mental health professionals have focused primarily on psychological disorders and mental illness that may cause an individual to subject their partner to the various forms of abuse. Researchers have also studied the effects of drugs and alcohol on abusers and domestic violence. This area needs a great deal of further research so that we may better understand the causes and the effects of the extremely adverse behavior. In order to prevent domestic violence from occurring, it is first essential that we understand the risk factors and the cause of the type of intimate partner abuse.

Possible Anthropological Causes for Domestic Abuse

Many anthropologists, scientists, and researchers, have proposed evolutionary rational in order to explain the prevalence of domestic violence within intimate partner relationships. They have suggested that the background of domestic abuse has evolved as a strategy in order to increase a male's reproductive fitness. The use of domestic violence may provide a male with benefits that may help to maximize their success in passing on their genes to future generations. The use of violence and coercion may help a male to ensure that they are only investing valuable resources in an offspring that is biologically their own. If a male invests resources in an offspring that is not their own, then the male will be benefiting the reproductive fitness of another male, and in many cases this will be detrimental to their own reproductive success. Evolutionary theory has suggested various interesting biological causes for domestic violence and abuse.

Psychological Reason for Abuse

The psychological theory of domestic violence has been extremely popular for a long period of time. This theory suggests that individuals who are responsible for subjecting their partner to domestic abuse are generally suffering from a mental illness or a psychological disorder. Oftentimes, personality disorders, such a borderline personality disorder, are cited as a cause of domestic violence. In other cases, violence and abuse may be a learned behavior, Individuals who were subjected to child abuse, or who grew up witnessing domestic violence within their household, may be more likely to subject their spouse or their child to abuse in the future. Abuse may also reflect psychological disorders such as depression. Other psychological causes of domestic violence may include extensive pressure. If an individual is suffering from a great deal of stress, they may respond to this stress with violence and brutality. There are various psychological disorders that may cause an individual to resort to domestic violence, both directly and indirectly proliferating the effects of domestic abuse.

Implications of Substance Abuse/Addiction

Various studies indicate that individuals who are suffering from substance abuse problems are more likely to subject their partner to domestic violence and abuse. However, the use of drugs and alcohol do not cause an individual to take part in intimate partner violence. An individual must possess the characteristics, traits, and experiences of an abuser in order to subject their partner to physical violence. An individual who is not violent and aggressive will not become violent due to the consumption of drugs and alcohol. However, intoxication due to drug and alcohol use may cause an individual to become uninhibited. As a result, individuals who are intoxicated may not consider the consequences of their actions. Therefore, an individual who is easily frustrated and violent may be more likely to abuse their partner when they are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. As a result, an abuser's erratic and violent behavior might cause the victim to remain in a negative environment out of fear.