Husband To Wife Violence Essay, Research Paper

Critical Analysis of Journal Article Article: Feldbau-Khon, S., Heyman, R., and

O`Leary, K. (1998). Major depressive disorder and depressive symptomatology as

predictors of husband to wife physical abuse. Violence and Victims, 13, 347-359.

Introduction The work of Feldbau-Khon, S., Heyman, R., and O`Leary, K. is

described in the article, ⌠Major Depressive Disorder and Depressive

Symptomatology as Predictors of Husband to Wife Physical Aggression. The authors

tested the link between a husband`s depressive symptomatology and the frequency

of physical aggression toward his wife. Also tested was the husband`s Major

Depressive Disorder and the frequency of physical aggression towards his wife.

The authors had four hypotheses. 1: Clinically depressed men are more physically

aggressive. 2: Depressive symptomatology is associated with frequency of

physical aggression. 3: Depressive symptomatology effects on physical aggression

are accounted for by other variables. 4: Depressive symptomatology effects on

psychological aggression are accounted for by other variables. The study

assessed physically aggressive men who volunteered for treatment with their

wives. Participants responded to newspaper announcements offering free therapy

for relationship conflicts. All spouses completed three-hour assessments

consisting of structured interviews and self-report measures. Almost one third

had moderate levels of depressive symptomatology, but only 11% met the criteria

for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Although a significant relationship between

increased depressive symptomatology and frequency of physical aggression was

found, the relationship was most likely accounted for by self- reported anger.

Weaknesses One weakness with this study is the makeup of the sample. The racial

composition of the sample was 1.3% Black, 1.3% Asian, and 97% White. No

Hispanics were included in the study although Hispanic men are also sometimes

very violent to their wives. The sample should have had more diversity, not be

made up almost entirely of Whites. Some races are more naturally violent than

others are because its part of their culture. Using mostly whites in this study

taints it because different depression could be a major factor affecting the

physical violence of whites but perhaps not men of other races. Another weakness

of this study is that it is never mentioned whether or not any of the subjects

were taking any sort of medication. Many types of medications, for example any

type Serotonin inhibitor, can affect violent behavior. The fact that the

subjects were volunteers raises an issue. The participants responded to an

advertisement for free therapy for relationship conflicts. These people wanted

help. They were not ordered by the court to obtain therapy. This may suggest

that they somehow have a different frame of mind than others who might not seek

help, therefore, we cannot make accurate assumptions about the results of the

study. Another issue one must take into consideration is that the participants

completed a three-hour assessment for which they were not being paid for. They

could have become tired, annoyed, bored, or frustrated. This could have affected

their answers to the questions asked in the interview to determine whether or

not they had MDD. They could also have not been revealing their true selves in

the self-report. The interviews were conducted by grad students and a research

assistant, not by the actual researchers or by doctors. There is a possibility

they could have overlooked things a professional with more experience would have

caught. Strengths of the Article One of the strengths of this article is that it

stresses the possibility of outside factors affecting the physical violence. An

example of this kind of variable is self-reported anger. A relationship where

one person is depressed may in fact be a very chaotic relationship where anger

and frustration can result in violence. In this case, the violence is may not be

a direct result of the depression; instead it may result from the anger and

frustration or marital discord that may accompany depression. The study

recognizes that there are other factors of life that can affect the physical

violence. Conclusion Although the study has its weaknesses, it is still a

valuable learning tool. The study is consistent with other studies that have

emphasized the role of anger in regard to husband-to-wife physical aggression.

Much more research still has to be done to better understand the connection

between MDD and husband-to-wife physical aggression. With every study performed,

we come closer to realizing the true connection between the two.