Publication Date
2016
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Rosenbaum, Alan
Degree Name
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
Legacy Department
Department of Psychology
LCSH
Intimate partner violence--Psychological aspects; Wife abuse--Religious aspects; Women--Abuse of--Religious aspects; Sexual dominance and submission--Psychological aspects
Abstract
Feminist theories have long proposed that conservative religious beliefs influence male-to-female partner violence (MFPV) by contributing to a belief system supporting male dominance and female submissiveness in relationships. The present study empirically assessed this proposed relationship, exploring the extent to which men's beliefs about female submission and men's use of interpersonal control contribute to the theoretical link between conservative religiosity and MFPV within heterosexual marriages. The extent to which men's perceptions of their wives beliefs about female submission contribute to MFPV was also assessed. A multiple mediation model was supported in which 1) men's beliefs about female submission mediated the relationship between men's conservative religiosity and men's use of interpersonal control, and 2) men's use of interpersonal control mediated the relationship between men's beliefs regarding female submission and MFPV. Men's perceptions of their wives beliefs about female submission did not strengthen these indirect effects. These findings highlight the importance of exploring the relationship between religiosity and MFPV in context, specifically by identifying the complex process through which men's beliefs about female submission and men's use of interpersonal control increase the risk of MFPV in marriage. Implications for researchers, religious leaders, and treatment providers are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Mckenzie, Melissa D., "Religiosity and male-to-female partner violence : exploring female submission in context" (2016). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 4727.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/4727
Extent
vi, 63 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
Comments
Advisors: Alan Rosenbaum.||Committee members: Michelle M. Lilly; Kristen Myers; Shane Sharp; Thomas J. Smith; Karen J. White.||Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.