Research
Hormonal Assessment in Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence
The current proposal seeks to measure levels of testosterone and cortisol (at baseline and in the laboratory) to compare their ratios in men on probation for intimate partner violence who are only aggressive towards their family (“family-only” subtype) to those men who are more generally aggressive in multiple contexts (“generally aggressive” subtype). Procedures will include two laboratory visits consisting of questionnaires, and a number of salivary testosterone and cortisol collections. The current study aims to further clarify the relationship between the testosterone, cortisol and aggressive behavior in males. We hypothesize that a ratio of high testosterone to reactive cortisol (T/rC) will differentiate between generally aggressive men, and those who are not generally aggressive. Further hypotheses include prediction of T/rC using questionnaire data. Results have the potential to provide a framework for future research on hormonal biomarkers and contribute to issues of prediction, prevention and treatment of aggression.
The Moderating Effect of Cognitive Flexibility on the Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Intimate Partner Violence
The present study seeks to contribute to the literature on cognitive risk factors of intimate partner violence by exploring the role of one's inability to adjust one's cognitions based on contextual factors (cognitive flexibility) in the association between a known situational risk factor (alcohol consumption) and male-perpetrated intimate partner violence in a sample of Hispanic young adult males. By understanding the role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between alcohol and intimate partner violence among Hispanic young adult males, we can reformulate how we conceptualize, design, and implement interventions for intimate partner violence perpetrators with alcohol consumption comorbidity that is culture-specific.
Ability of Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence to Recognize Emotions Based on Facial Expressions
The current study is designed to examine the relationship between the severity of intimate partner violence (IPV), empathy, emotional regulation, and facial affect recognition abilities when comparing IPV perpetrators attending an intervention program for perpetrators of intimate partner violence with non-intimate partner violent males. In addition, the differences between family only and generally violent perpetrators in facial recognition abilities will also be studied. A better understanding of how perpetrators of physical violence interpret facial expressions and the mediating effect of emotion regulation and empathy may lead to the development and implementation of other interventions that may be more effective and lead to a decrease in IPV recidivism.
Characteristics and Types of Violence in Female Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence on Probation
This study will examine the characteristics of female perpetrators on probation and assess what type of violence female perpetrators use and their classification as generally violent or family-only violent perpetrators.
The Influence of Resilience on Academic Outcomes in Undergraduate Survivors of Interparental Violence and Child Abuse
This study's overarching purpose will be to explore the academic outcomes of undergraduates who have experienced both child abuse and witnessed interparental violence and the resiliency factors that may influence the future of individuals by increasing positive outcomes. Most studies have focused on the negative outcomes that lead to adverse consequences, such as receiving poor grades or dropping out of school. As such, this study will take on a strength-based approach by focusing on positive outcomes that have had an influence on undergraduates who have experienced trauma to succeed academically.
The Influence of Psychopathology on Attitudes and Behavioral Patterns in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, antisocial PD, and borderline PD are all significant correlates for both IPV victimization and perpetration (Spencer et al., 2019). These results are consistent with prior research, showing that difficulties with anger and emotion regulation are associated with IPV perpetration (Birkley & Eckhardt, 2015; Langer & Lawrence, 2010) and with violence recidivism after IPV treatment (Farzan-Kashani & Murphy, 2017), and indicate that expectancies regarding the positive effects of perpetuating abuse may be a critical treatment target in efforts to alter these patterns. Positive outcome expectancies from perpetuating violence have been associated with lower readiness to change, whereas negative expectances from perpetuating has been associated with higher readiness to change. Therefore, this study will take a holistic approach on how psychopathology influences attitudes and behavioral patters in intimate partner violence perpetration in order to provide what may influence recidivism, as well as what can help to prevent recidivism.
The Influence of Social Support on Severity of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration
Consistent social support has the ability of increasing a person’s self-control and alleviates high levels of anger, which reduces the chances of committing criminal behavior (Colvin et al., 2002). It is theorized that social support may serve to reduce risk for IPV victimization and perpetration by encouraging help seeking following an episode of IPV, increasing self-efficacy to engage in behaviors to prevent further episodes of IPV, as well as increasing the likelihood that an individual would leave a relationship that involves IPV (Dias et al., 2019). Therefore, this study will explore how social support influences the severity of intimate partner violence perpetration by mainly focusing on how higher social support reduces the severity of IPV perpetration.