Intimate partner violence: causes and prevention.

Full Abstract

Unlike many health problems, there are few social and demographic characteristics that define risk groups for intimate partner violence. Poverty is the exception and increases risk through effects on conflict, women's power, and male identity. Violence is used as a strategy in conflict. Relationships full of conflict, and especially those in which conflicts occur about finances, jealousy, and women's gender role transgressions are more violent than peaceful relationships. Heavy alcohol consumption also increases risk of violence. Women who are more empowered educationally, economically, and socially are most protected, but below this high level the relation between empowerment and risk of violence is non-linear. Violence is frequently used to resolve a crisis of male identity, at times caused by poverty or an inability to control women. Risk of violence is greatest in societies where the use of violence in many situations is a socially-accepted norm. Primary preventive interventions should focus on improving the status of women and reducing norms of violence, poverty, and alcohol consumption.

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Author information

Author/s: Jewkes, Rachel (R);

Affiliation: Gender and Health Group, Medical Research Council, Private Bag X385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa. rhewkes(-atsign-)mrc.ac.za

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Lancet (Lancet), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Apr; vol 359 (issue 9315) : pp 1423-9

Dates: Created 2002/04/29; Completed 2002/05/08; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 11978358, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Male
Poverty
Power (Psychology)
Risk Factors
Spouse Abuse - prevention & control

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