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SAGE Journal User Guide

Article 1: Renzetti, C.M., DeWall, C.N., Messer, A., & Pond, R. (2015). By the grace of God: Religiosity, religious self-regulation, and perpetration of intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Issues, 1-24.

Summary: This article examines, using various measures, the degree to which religiosity effects the perpetration of intimate partner violence. Findings generally show that religiosity is less important than religious self-regulation. As a result, the reduction of men’s likelihood to commit intimate partner violence may be limited to specific groups of individuals.

Questions to Consider:

1. Why might the protective effects of religiosity be restricted to certain groups of men?

2. In what way(s) can the impact of religiosity on the likelihood to commit IPV be a function of how not how much?

3. How might the style of religious self-regulation be influential in determining the likelihood of IPV perpetration?

 

Article 2: Kaya, Y. & Cook, K.J. (2010). A cross-national analysis of physical intimate partner violence against women. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 51(6), 423-444.

Summary: This article examines the correlates of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) in 40 nations using nationally representative surveys. Results show that labor force participation and advance education for women decrease the likelihood of IPVAW, while higher fertility rates increase its likelihood. Areas with high levels of religious fractionalization and economic relationships with high-income countries also increase the likelihood of IPVAW.

Questions to Consider:

1. In what way(s) can the economic standing and modernization of a country be related to the likelihood of intimate partner violence against women?

2. Under what condition(s) can the development of countries alleviate the problems faced by women?

3. How can the differing conditions of Westernized and non-Westernized nations contribute to the likelihood of IPVAW?

 

Article 3: Ammar, N.H. (2007). Wife battery in Islam: A comprehensive understanding of interpretations. Violence Against Women, 13(5), 516-526.

Summary: This article provides a comprehensive description of Islamic perspectives of wife beating. Several schools are discusses based on the patriarchal nature of cultural values. After detailing these perspectives, the author suggests that the interpretations can be a resource for several service provides working with immigrant Muslim women in contemporary American society.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does religion help shape the patriarchal structure of some societies?

2.  In what way(s) do the four schools of Islamic perspectives differ in their view of wife beating?

3. How can the insight gained from these Islamic interpretations be used by service providers working with immigrant Muslim women in the United States?

 

Article 4: Zakar, R., Zakar, M.Z., & Kraemer, A. (2013). Men’s beliefs and attitudes toward intimate partner violence against women in Pakistan. Violence Against Women, 19(2), 246-268.

Summary: This article examines the beliefs and attitudes of men toward intimate partner violence in Pakistan. The subjects of the perception and justification of partner violence in the context of Pakistani society are drawn from interviews and focus group discussions. Findings show that through gender socialization men view women as subjects under their control.

Questions to Consider:

1. How may the views of men in Pakistani society contribute to domestic violence?

2. Why have women been historically subordinate to men in Pakistan and similar nations?

3. How has education played a role in the gender socialization and domestic violence in Pakistani society?

 

Article 5: Bent-Goodley, T.B., Fowler, D.N. (2006). Spiritual and religious abuse: Expanding what is known about domestic violence. Affilia, 21(3), 282-295.

Summary: This article utilized the insight from three distinct focus groups to better understand how diverse communities view the intersections of spirituality, religion, and domestic violence. Insight gained from these faith-based communities informs future domestic violence interventions, specifically for diverse communities of African Americans and particularly in areas with battered women.

Questions to Consider:

1. What role and practice can African American faith-based communities takes against domestic violence?

2. In what way(s) can spiritual abuse be different from psychological abuse?

3. How can spirituality, as a coping mechanism, be obstructed by an abuser?

 

Article 6: Pyles, L. (2007). The complexities of the religious response to domestic violence: Implications for faith-based initiatives. Affilia, 22(3), 281-291.

Summary: This article uses data from Wyoming to examine the community response to domestic violence. The author finds that religion both helps and hinders women that have survived domestic violence. At the present time, many religious communities lack the knowledge and resources to adequately in such cases. The article concludes with suggestions for future social work responses to domestic violence.

Questions to Consider:

1. In what way(s) can religion be a barrier to women seeking help surviving domestic violence?

2. How can religious institutions in the community make a positive impact in the lives of battered women?

3. What implications are there for social work in terms of strengthening the effect of religion in cases of domestic violence?

 

Article 7: Potter, H. (2007). Battered black women’s use of religious services and spirituality for assistance in leaving abusive relationships. Violence Against Women, 13(3), 262-284.

Summary: This article examines the use of religion and spirituality by Black women during the process of leaving an abusive relationships. The study helps to determine how important religion and spirituality is to battered Black women and how the level at which these women are assisted in leaving their abusive relationships.

Questions to Consider:

1. Why should research consider the role religion and spirituality plays in the lives of battered women, specifically those of African descent?

2. In what ways have religion and spirituality affected research on intimate partner violence?

3. How can the current study assist Black batterers with discontinuing their behaviors?