Abstract :

This study examines a research gap in spousal abuse literature by using a gender based analysis to examine whether there are similar or different risk and protective factors associated with spousal emotional abuse among women and men in two age groups: mid-age (45-59 years) and old-age (60+ years). The risk and predictive factors of abuse are situated within an ecological framework, linking them to the individual, spouse/partner, and community contexts. Cross sectional data from the 1999 and 2004 General Social Surveys are merged (N = 17,314) to address the research question. Using multivariate logistic regression it was found that there are both gender similarities and differences in risk/protective factors. Regardless of gender and age, disability was a risk factor in predicting emotional abuse. Several gender differences were found within each age group that connects to the individual, relationships and community risk factors. Such differences between age groups and genders are suggestive of the diversity of spousal abuse that highlighted the continue need for gender base analysis. In particular, the study revealed specific vulnerabilities of men as victims of spousal abuse. Implications and future directions of the study are discussed.