This study examines the role of religious affiliation and couple denominational homogamy as correlates of male-to-female partner violence (MFPV) among a national sample of 1,615 married and cohabiting couples. The sample was obtained through a multistage area household probability sampling frame as part of the 1995 National Alcohol Survey. MFPV was measured through the Conflict Tactics Scale. Level of couple denominational homogamy was categorized as “same,” “mixed affiliation,” and “one or both spouses unaffiliated.” Bivariate analysis was employed to assess whether rates of MFPV differed by couple homogamy. Couples with the same affiliation had the lowest rate of MFPV (11.7%) compared to mixed affiliation couples (13.4%) and couples in which one or both spouses were unaffiliated (18.5%), but these differences were not statistically significant (chi square=1.45, 2df, p=.49). Couples were then grouped into denominational categories (liberal, moderate, fundamentalist, none), and the association between denominational category and MFPV was tested. Couples categorized into the liberal group had the highest rate of MFPV (24.6%), followed by couples in the moderate group (12%), the non-affiliated (8.9%), and the fundamentalist group (6.6%), although these differences were not statistically significant (chi square=5.15, 3df, p=.16). These results suggest that the prevalence of MFPV may be lower among denominationally homogamous couples, and that fundamentalist couples do not appear to have higher rates of MFPV than others. Multivariate logistic regression models will be developed to test these associations.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants in the session will acquire information on the association between religious affiliation, couple denominational homogamy, and intimate partner violence among U.S. couples. 2. Participants can expect to describe the prevalence of partner violence among the religiously affiliated and unaffiliated. 3. At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to assess the role of religious affiliation and couple denominational homogamy as correlates of intimate partner violence
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Religion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.