Biopsychosocial Model for Understanding Relationship Aggression (From Violence and Sexual Abuse at Home: Current Issues in Spousal Battering and Child Maltreatment, P 57-79, 1997, Robert Geffner, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-168285)

• NCJ Number: 168289
• Author(s): A Rosenbaum; R Geffner; S Benjamin
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 23 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH44812
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Aggression in adult intimate relationships is a significant problem with far-reaching effects on victims, perpetrators, families, and society.

Abstract

Recognizing the extent of the problem, the U.S. Department of Justice has established a Violence Against Women Office, and many States have enacted legislation to protect victims and deal with perpetrators. An adequate understanding of the dynamics of relationship aggression is necessary so that effective interventions and prevention programs can be developed. The current status of research on relationship aggression is reviewed, and several omissions such as ignorance of the potential contributions of biological factors are noted. Recent research on the relevance of biological factors in relationship aggression is examined, and a biopsychosocial model of relationship aggression is presented. The focus is on characteristics of batterers, serotonin (a neurotransmitter that has been implicated in many psychiatric conditions), and the link between head injury and relationship aggression. Suggestions for future research are offered. 69 references and 1 figure