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Asymmetrical role-taking: comparing battered and nonbattered women
J A Forte1, D D Franks, J A Forte
1Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA.
Social Work
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Franks's social psychological model explains battered women's distress by examining oppressive situations and unequal relationship roles. The study found social isolation and powerlessness contribute to vulnerability, not self-blame.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Domestic Violence Research
Background:
- Battered women face complex challenges often explained by individualistic or single-factor theories.
- Franks's social psychological model offers an alternative framework focusing on situational pressures and relationship inequities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the propositions of Franks's social psychological model using survey data.
- To understand the factors contributing to the vulnerability of battered women.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 66 battered women and 80 nonbattered women.
- Analysis of social situations, relationship dynamics, and psychological outcomes.
Main Results:
- Battered women experienced oppressive social situations marked by powerlessness, social isolation, and economic dependency.
- Batterers demonstrated poor empathic abilities.
- Key predictions regarding self-blame and identification with the aggressor were not supported by the data.
Conclusions:
- The model highlights the interplay of situational oppression and relationship asymmetry in women's vulnerability.
- Interventions should focus on enhancing women's power and improving men's interpersonal sensitivity.