An Empirical Examination of a Theory of Women’s Use of Violence in Intimate Relationships

(This research was funded by National Institute of Justice 2001-WT-BX-0502 to Dr. Suzanne C. Swan; Dr. Sullivan was a Co-Investigator)

The purpose of the study was to develop an empirically based theoretical framework of women's use of aggression in intimate relationships. Specifically, contextual factors such as race and ethnicity, women’s victimization, cognitive factors, childhood trauma, PTSD and substance use were examined to provide an empirical framework for understanding women’s use of aggression.