Abstract

This study examines the prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a Christian denomination. To date, no studies have been found in the literature that looked at IPV in a Christian denomination in South America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Little is known regarding how church members from these countries experience victimization from IPV. One 2002 Inter-American Division (IAD) data set provides some insight into IPV; and the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has analyzed cross-sectional data of more than 7,000 SDA respondents from the study area of interest. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) was used to determine if reports of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse could be correctly predicted based on knowledge of age, education, marital status, number of children, marital conflict, depression, substance abuse, self-esteem, spirituality, and/or conservatism. The study findings suggest that the prevalence of IPV among SDA women is comparable to the prevalence in another international study. Marital conflict was the most pervasive predictor for physical and emotional violence, while substance abuse was the strongest indicator of sexual violence. These results have implications for future programs, policies, and research.

LLU Discipline

Marital and Family Therapy

Department

Counseling and Family Sciences

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Distelberg, Brian

Second Advisor

Huenergardt, Douglas

Third Advisor

Oloo, Winetta

Fourth Advisor

Wilson, Colwick

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2016

Date (Title Page)

6-2016

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Intimate Partner Violence; Family Violence; Religion and Psychology; Interpersonal Relations -- Religious Aspects

Subject - Local

Christianity; Discriminant Function Analysis; Marital Conflict; South America; Latin America; Caribbean

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

135

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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