EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND CONTROLLING BEHAVIORS IN HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS: THE ROLE OF EMPLOYMENT AND ALCOHOL USE FOR WOMEN AND THEIR PARTNERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of economic resources, status compatibility, and alcohol consumption on forms of nonphysical abuse, such as controlling and emotional abuse. Specifically, we focus on the connections between women's employment, the employment of their partners, alcohol use, and women's risk of abuse in intimate relationships. We hypothesize that women in intimate relationships with men will experience more emotional abuse to the extent that they are economically vulnerable. Moreover, abuse should increase if their employment status, in relation to that of their partner, challenges the man's marital power. Moreover, alcohol use by women and/or their partners is also predicted to be associated with emotional abuse. We find some support for assertions that socioeconomic deprivation, as well as challenges to men's masculinity, is associated with emotionally abusive male partners. However, the prevalence and amount of alcohol use by the male partner stands out as the most consistent predictor of emotional abuse in heterosexual relationships.

We would like to thank Nicole Rader, Michelle Bemiller, Pat Ackard, and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions on an earlier draft of this article.

Notes

*p ≤ .05.

Note. Model 1, reference category for the employment variables is “both employed.”

Model 2, reference category for the employment variables is “both unemployed.”

*p ≤ .05.

Note. Left-censored observations = 3,328; uncensored observations = 1,085.

*p ≤ .05.