Prevalence and Correlates of Relationship Abuse Among a Community-Based Sample of Low-Income African American Women

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between social and economic power and incidence of male-perpetrated abuse among low-income African American women with partners (N = 102). Relationship abuse was common among participants; 48% reported verbal abuse, threats of physical abuse, or physical abuse in the past 3 months. Findings also illustrated that disempowerment of women, particularly in relationships, increases female vulnerability to abuse. Regression analyses revealed lower education, partner jealousy, and lower partner empathy account for significant variance in relationship abuse in the past 3 months. Results suggest that social and contextual issues must be included in our examination of male abuse of female partners.