Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Homicide: A General Strain Theory Explanation

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Mazerolle, Paul
Other Supervisors
Hayes, Hennessey
Year published
2013
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Despite a growing body of knowledge, there is still debate as to whether men who perpetrate lethal and non-lethal intimate partner violence display similar characteristics as men who are violent more generally. Calls have been made for research to examine which, if any, contexts, factors and situations are unique to male-perpetrated intimate partner homicide (IPH) compared to other types of homicide. The current research addresses this empirical question.
Theoretically, this research is guided by general strain theory (GST; Agnew, 1992). According to GST, experiences of strain increase the likelihood of an individual engaging ...
View more >Despite a growing body of knowledge, there is still debate as to whether men who perpetrate lethal and non-lethal intimate partner violence display similar characteristics as men who are violent more generally. Calls have been made for research to examine which, if any, contexts, factors and situations are unique to male-perpetrated intimate partner homicide (IPH) compared to other types of homicide. The current research addresses this empirical question. Theoretically, this research is guided by general strain theory (GST; Agnew, 1992). According to GST, experiences of strain increase the likelihood of an individual engaging in criminal behaviour. This link between strain and crime is mediated by negative emotions and moderated by factors such as personal characteristics, peer associations and access to social support. The current research proposes that GST extends the current theoretical landscape of male-perpetrated IPH in three ways: by focusing attention on the role of negative emotions, by explaining variations in coping mechanisms and by incorporating both distal and proximal variables associated with male-perpetrated IPH. Building on existing theoretical and empirical research, the current research provides a GST application of male-perpetrated IPH.
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View more >Despite a growing body of knowledge, there is still debate as to whether men who perpetrate lethal and non-lethal intimate partner violence display similar characteristics as men who are violent more generally. Calls have been made for research to examine which, if any, contexts, factors and situations are unique to male-perpetrated intimate partner homicide (IPH) compared to other types of homicide. The current research addresses this empirical question. Theoretically, this research is guided by general strain theory (GST; Agnew, 1992). According to GST, experiences of strain increase the likelihood of an individual engaging in criminal behaviour. This link between strain and crime is mediated by negative emotions and moderated by factors such as personal characteristics, peer associations and access to social support. The current research proposes that GST extends the current theoretical landscape of male-perpetrated IPH in three ways: by focusing attention on the role of negative emotions, by explaining variations in coping mechanisms and by incorporating both distal and proximal variables associated with male-perpetrated IPH. Building on existing theoretical and empirical research, the current research provides a GST application of male-perpetrated IPH.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Violence against partners
General strain theory
Male perpetrated homicide
Intimate partner homicide (IPH)