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The Role of Relationship Status in Intimate Partner Homicide

Pomerantz, Tatiana Andrea (2021) The Role of Relationship Status in Intimate Partner Homicide. Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.

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Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem in the United States. Between 1984 and 2008, one in five homicide victims were women killed by an intimate partner and one in four women experienced severe IPV. To date, Little research has been conducted on intimate partner homicide (IPH). In particular, limited analyses have been conducted using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) database. This analysis aims to expand the current understanding of IPH victim and perpetrator relationships as it relates to substance abuse, alcohol dependence, and mental health.
Data from the NVDRS system (2003-2015) was used to analyze the association between victim-perpetrator relationship status with victim substance use, alcohol dependence, and mental health. The analysis was restricted to female victims and male perpetrators of IPH. Additionally, cases were only kept if the victim’s death was related to IPV. The analysis was further restricted by relationship type to include only romantic relationships (i.e., husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend). Of 234,612 cases, 4,655 were identified that fit this eligibility criteria. Stata 16 was used to conduct the analysis, which consisted of obtaining descriptive statistics and performing Chi-Square tests, Fisher’s Exact tests, and analysis of adjusted residuals.
The final victim cohort was predominately white (62.2%) and married (42.6%) with a mean age of 39.7 years. Perpetrators were mostly white (52.8%) with a mean age of 42.6 years. Victims whose perpetrator was a boyfriend were more likely to have a substance abuse problem or alcohol dependence (p-value <0.001). Additionally, victims who were married to their perpetrator were more likely to have a current mental health problem (p-value = 0.01) or currently be receiving treatment for a mental health disorder at the time of death (p-value = 0.01).
Results of this analysis provide new insights into the psychosocial contexts in which IPH occurs. Victim substance abuse, alcohol dependence, and mental health are dependent on the type of relationship between victims and perpetrators of IPH. While further analysis is required, these findings are of public health significance because they will help identify women at risk of IPH and explore points of intervention.


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Details

Item Type: Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper (Master Essay)
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Pomerantz, Tatiana Andreatap99@pitt.edutap99
Contributors:
ContributionContributors NameEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairHaggerty, Catherinehaggertyc@edc.pitt.eduhaggertycUNSPECIFIED
Committee MemberYouk, Adaayouk@pitt.eduayoukUNSPECIFIED
Committee MemberMorrison, Penelopepkm20@psu.eduUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Date: 10 May 2021
Date Type: Completion
Number of Pages: 44
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master Essay
Refereed: Yes
Date Deposited: 10 May 2021 22:28
Last Modified: 10 May 2023 05:15
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/40745

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