Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This study examined the expectations to help victims of intimate partner violence held by potential informal helpers such as friends and family. A total of 157 college students viewed one of two videotaped domestic violence scenarios, which varied on victim “provocation.” The present study tested a specific model in which victim blame mediates the relationship between helper characteristics and the type of intervention helpers expect to use. The model accounted for 22% of variance in general victim blame,40% of variance in blame toward the victim's specific behavior/characteristics, and 27% of variance in the expectation to use specific helpful inter ventions. High perceived provocation and violence-condoning attitudes held by participants predicted greater victim blame, and general victim blame appeared to mediate the relationship between attitudes and intervention. Female participants demonstrated less general victim blame and provided more helpful interventions than males. Implications for educational programs and continued research are discussed