Domestic violence is very prevalent in
the United States; due to its frequency and severity, domestic violence is
often the subject of various research and studies. Researchers, scientists,
psychologists, and anthropologists invest a great deal of time and valuable
resources into studying the possible causes and the detrimental effects of
domestic violence, spousal abuse, and family abuse. They have explored possible
evolutionary rationale that may help to explain the frequent occurrence of
domestic violence. Psychologists and mental health professionals have focused
primarily on psychological disorders and mental illness that may cause an individual
to subject their partner to the various forms of abuse. Researchers have also
studied the effects of drugs and alcohol on abusers and domestic violence. This
area needs a great deal of further research so that we may better understand
the causes and the effects of the extremely adverse behavior. In order to
prevent domestic violence from occurring, it is first essential that we
understand the risk factors and the cause of the type of intimate partner abuse.
Possible Anthropological Causes for Domestic Abuse
Many anthropologists, scientists, and
researchers, have proposed evolutionary rational in order to explain the
prevalence of domestic violence within intimate partner relationships. They
have suggested that the background of domestic abuse has evolved as
a strategy in order to increase a male’s reproductive fitness. The use of
domestic violence may provide a male with benefits that may help to maximize
their success in passing on their genes to future generations. The use of
violence and coercion may help a male to ensure that they are only investing
valuable resources in an offspring that is biologically their own. If a male
invests resources in an offspring that is not their own, then the male will be
benefiting the reproductive fitness of another male, and in many cases this
will be detrimental to their own reproductive success. Evolutionary theory has
suggested various interesting biological causes for domestic violence and
abuse.
Psychological Reason for Abuse
The psychological theory of domestic
violence has been extremely popular for a long period of time. This theory
suggests that individuals who are responsible for subjecting their partner to
domestic abuse are generally suffering from a mental illness or a psychological
disorder. Oftentimes, personality disorders, such a borderline personality
disorder, are cited as a cause of domestic violence. In other cases, violence
and abuse may be a learned behavior, Individuals who were subjected to child
abuse, or who grew up witnessing domestic violence within their household, may
be more likely to subject their spouse or their child to abuse in the future.
Abuse may also reflect psychological disorders such as depression. Other
psychological causes of domestic violence may include extensive pressure. If an
individual is suffering from a great deal of stress, they may respond to this
stress with violence and brutality. There are various psychological disorders
that may cause an individual to resort to domestic violence, both directly and
indirectly proliferating the effects
of domestic abuse.
Implications of Substance Abuse/Addiction
Various studies indicate that individuals who are suffering from substance
abuse problems are more likely to subject their partner to domestic violence
and abuse. However, the use of drugs and alcohol do not cause an individual to
take part in intimate partner violence. An individual must possess the
characteristics, traits, and experiences of an abuser in order to subject their
partner to physical violence. An individual who is not violent and aggressive
will not become violent due to the consumption of drugs and alcohol. However,
intoxication due to drug and alcohol use may cause an individual to become
uninhibited. As a result, individuals who are intoxicated may not consider the
consequences of their actions. Therefore, an individual who is easily
frustrated and violent may be more likely to abuse their partner when they are
under the influence of drugs and alcohol. As a result, an abuser’s erratic and
violent behavior might cause the victim to remain in a negative environment out of fear.