Characteristics of Partner Violence
Characteristics of Partner Violence
Nicole Mihal
Kaplan University
CJ 333 Section 02
Professor Michael Pozesny
January 21, 2014
Domestic violence is an ever growing problem in the United States. It is becoming increasingly difficult to narrow down specific traits that an abuser would have. There have been several studies on the characteristics and styles of abusive personalities. Any combination of certain traits could be a dangerous situation. Domestic violence and intimate partner violence is not particular to any age group although men are the majority abusers. There are a few characteristics that could antagonize an abusive situation such as mental health issues, socio-economic status, history of abuse, personality traits, and the effect of substance abuse on each of them.
“Mental health diagnoses for batterers range from obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, borderline personality, passive-aggressive, narcissistic, and anti-social” (Gosselin, 2010, p.245). Many times these issues can progressively get worse the longer it goes untreated. For instance, narcissism is a personality disorder which can be very dangerous and unpredictable. “Patients with severe narcissistic personality disorder may present symptoms strikingly similar to those of borderline patients: general impulsivity, severe chaos in relations with significant others, severe breakdown in their capacity for work and emotional intimacy, and para-suicidal and self-mutilating behavior” (Kernberg & Yeomans, 2013, p.14).
“Victims stated that more than 40 percent of spousal offenders were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident” (Gosselin, 2010, p. 250). Alcohol combined with a mental health issue can create a dangerous situation. An alcoholic suffering from a paranoid personality disorder are suspicious, jealous, distrustful, and detachment. They may exhibit several symptoms. Such as,
“A strong tendency not to forgive real or imagined slights and
Nicole Mihal
Kaplan University
CJ 333 Section 02
Professor Michael Pozesny
January 21, 2014
Domestic violence is an ever growing problem in the United States. It is becoming increasingly difficult to narrow down specific traits that an abuser would have. There have been several studies on the characteristics and styles of abusive personalities. Any combination of certain traits could be a dangerous situation. Domestic violence and intimate partner violence is not particular to any age group although men are the majority abusers. There are a few characteristics that could antagonize an abusive situation such as mental health issues, socio-economic status, history of abuse, personality traits, and the effect of substance abuse on each of them.
“Mental health diagnoses for batterers range from obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, borderline personality, passive-aggressive, narcissistic, and anti-social” (Gosselin, 2010, p.245). Many times these issues can progressively get worse the longer it goes untreated. For instance, narcissism is a personality disorder which can be very dangerous and unpredictable. “Patients with severe narcissistic personality disorder may present symptoms strikingly similar to those of borderline patients: general impulsivity, severe chaos in relations with significant others, severe breakdown in their capacity for work and emotional intimacy, and para-suicidal and self-mutilating behavior” (Kernberg & Yeomans, 2013, p.14).
“Victims stated that more than 40 percent of spousal offenders were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident” (Gosselin, 2010, p. 250). Alcohol combined with a mental health issue can create a dangerous situation. An alcoholic suffering from a paranoid personality disorder are suspicious, jealous, distrustful, and detachment. They may exhibit several symptoms. Such as,
“A strong tendency not to forgive real or imagined slights and