Detangling Individual-, Partner-, and Community-level Correlates of Partner Violence

Abstract

This article attempted to identify neighborhood- partner- and individual-level factors that may lead to male-to-female partner violence. The relevant dimensions of community context were derived from social disorganization theory that indicates that disorganized areas lack formal and informal controls that inhibit street violence. Social disorganization theory predicts that there is a higher rate of violence and social isolation in disorganized areas. At the individual level, women who experience less social support will more likely be victimized by partner violence. This article investigates the direct and interactive effects of social disorganization measures and variables from social support theories on male-to-female partner violence. The data come from Wave 2 of the National Survey of Families and Households completed in 1994 and from the 1990 census. Logistic regression was used to assess variation in the independent and dependent variables between and within neighborhood types. Results indicate that neighborhood effects interact with partner- and individual-level characteristics for a more complete explanation for male-to-female partner violence.