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Male Perpetrators’ Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence, Religion, and Masculinity

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Abstract

The present study examines the interaction of religious belief and intimate partner violence (IPV) by exploring the perspectives of twelve male IPV perpetrators in a lower socioeconomic bracket from the Southern US. Semi-structured interviews of perpetrators were conducted to ask about their experience with and perceptions of IPV in relation to their religious beliefs and the beliefs of others in their environment. A grounded theory method of analysis was used to develop a comprehensive, empirically-derived description of this interaction. Findings are discussed in relation to the construct of masculinity held by the perpetrators, which emerged as an important finding influencing both their thoughts about IPV and religion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA

    Heidi M. Levitt, Rebecca Todd Swanger & Jenny B. Butler

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  1. Heidi M. Levitt
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  2. Rebecca Todd Swanger
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  3. Jenny B. Butler
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Correspondence to Heidi M. Levitt.

Additional information

This project was funded by Lebonheur Health Systems, Inc. We would like to thank Dr. Robert Holdford and The Exchange Club, Dr. Gary Bayer, Dr. Sharon Horne, Dr. Katherine Kitzmann, and Dr. Lisa Klesges for their support and assistance with this work.

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Levitt, H.M., Swanger, R.T. & Butler, J.B. Male Perpetrators’ Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence, Religion, and Masculinity. Sex Roles 58, 435–448 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9349-3

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