Complete Schedule
Presentation Type
Open Access Poster Presentation
Keywords
Offenses against the person; Abused women--Public opinion;
Abstract
Approximately 36% of all women in the United States will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their lifetime (Black et al., 2011). Stigma is one consequence associated with IPV. African American (Black) victims may be more heavily stigmatized than European American (White) victims (Willis-Esqueda & Harrison, 2005). Socioeconomic status (SES) may also affect a person’s perception of the victim. To date, little research has been conducted to explore the interaction of race and SES on the stigma of IPV. The current study hypothesized greater stigma would be displayed toward Black victims and low SES victims. Participants consisted of 336 people recruited via an online crowdsourcing platform. They read one of four vignettes (police transcript containing either a low SES White victim of IPV, high SES White victim, low SES Black victim, or high SES Black victim) and responded to measures of perceived devaluation and discrimination, desired social distance, judgment of responsibility, and demographic variables. Participant gender and political orientation had an effect on dependent variables, such that men displayed more stigma toward victims and said they would be less likely to help if their neighbor was victimized. Also, participants who identified as “very liberal” displayed the least stigma toward the victim. ANCOVAs revealed higher rates of devaluation and discrimination and desired social distance toward low SES victims, but no interactions of race and SES. This pattern of results suggests being from a low SES group may decrease the amount of sympathy one receives when they are victimized.
Start Date
3-4-2018 11:00 AM
End Date
3-4-2018 1:30 PM
Faculty Advisor
Elizabeth Lefler
Department
Department of Psychology
Copyright
©2018 Antoinette Fleming
File Format
application/pdf
Embargo Date
3-30-2018
Intimate Partner Violence Stigma: The Intersection of Race and Socioeconomic Status
Approximately 36% of all women in the United States will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their lifetime (Black et al., 2011). Stigma is one consequence associated with IPV. African American (Black) victims may be more heavily stigmatized than European American (White) victims (Willis-Esqueda & Harrison, 2005). Socioeconomic status (SES) may also affect a person’s perception of the victim. To date, little research has been conducted to explore the interaction of race and SES on the stigma of IPV. The current study hypothesized greater stigma would be displayed toward Black victims and low SES victims. Participants consisted of 336 people recruited via an online crowdsourcing platform. They read one of four vignettes (police transcript containing either a low SES White victim of IPV, high SES White victim, low SES Black victim, or high SES Black victim) and responded to measures of perceived devaluation and discrimination, desired social distance, judgment of responsibility, and demographic variables. Participant gender and political orientation had an effect on dependent variables, such that men displayed more stigma toward victims and said they would be less likely to help if their neighbor was victimized. Also, participants who identified as “very liberal” displayed the least stigma toward the victim. ANCOVAs revealed higher rates of devaluation and discrimination and desired social distance toward low SES victims, but no interactions of race and SES. This pattern of results suggests being from a low SES group may decrease the amount of sympathy one receives when they are victimized.
