Open AccessPerson-Oriented Methods in Partner Violence Research: Distinct Biopsychosocial Profiles Among Battered Women
Author(s) -
Paula S. Nurius,
Rebecca J. Macy
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of interpersonal violence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-6518
pISSN - 0886-2605
DOI - 10.1177/0886260509340541
Subject(s) - biopsychosocial model , domestic violence , psychological intervention , poison control , clinical psychology , psychology , suicide prevention , injury prevention , human factors and ergonomics , occupational safety and health , multivariate analysis of variance , vulnerability (computing) , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , computer security , pathology , machine learning , computer science
Violence researchers have called for the use of person-oriented methods to understand differences that have been found in biopsychosocial consequences among those who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). To address this issue, we apply a person-oriented statistical method, latent profile analysis (LPA), to test for meaningful subgroups of a sample of 448 battered women based on participants' appraisals of their vulnerability relative to their violent partner, depressive symptoms, physical injuries, overall physical health functioning, and their positive and negative social relationships with friends and family. The LPA established five significantly distinct subgroups. Using MANOVA, we examined these subgroups and their respective IPV exposure, both concomitant and separate incidents within the past year. Those with the most intensive violence exposure show the greatest level of challenge and impairment. However, the groups with comparable levels of IPV exposure manifest distinctly different configurations of biopsychosocial profiles, indicating a need for adaptive interventions commensurate with these profiles. We discuss the implications these findings have for developing adaptive interventions for battered women, as well as the potential utility of person-oriented tools for violence researchers.