The Role of Gender in Violence Experienced by Adults With Developmental Disabilities. Issue 1 (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Platt, Laura; Powers, Laurie; Leotti, Sandra; Hughes, Rosemary B.; Robinson-Whelen, Susan; Osburn, Sherri; Ashkenazy, Elesia; Beers, Leanne; Lund, Emily M.; Nicolaidis, Christina
• Other Names: Hughes Rosemary B. non-byline-author.; Powers Laurie E. non-byline-author.; Nicolaidis Christina non-byline-author.; Katz Marsha non-byline-author.; Oschwald Mary non-byline-author.; Larson Darren non-byline-author.; Plourde Eddie non-byline-author.; Raymaker Dora non-byline-author.; Howard Lisa non-byline-author.; Ashkenazy Elesia non-byline-author.; Beers Leanne non-byline-author.; Boatman Mark non-byline-author.; Gardner Gail Bernice non-byline-author.; Gray Nicole non-byline-author.; Grantham Leah non-byline-author.; Larocque James non-byline-author.; Millin Mary non-byline-author.; Osburn Sherri non-byline-author.; Salomon Janice non-byline-author.; Star Albert non-byline-author.; Tedlow Andrew non-byline-author.; Wallington Annie non-byline-author.; Curry Mary Ann non-byline-author.; Robinson-Whelen Susan non-byline-author.; Allen Patti non-byline-author.; Goe Rebecca non-byline-author.; Leotti Sandy non-byline-author.; Lund Emily M. non-byline-author.
• Is Part Of: Journal of interpersonal violence. Volume 32:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: gender -- developmental disability -- intimate partner violence -- sexual assault -- caregiver abuse -- community based participatory research; Violence -- Periodicals; Sex crimes -- Periodicals; Violence -- Périodiques; Crimes sexuels -- Périodiques; 364.15
• DOI: 10.1177/0886260515585534
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-2605

Abstract

Violence against people with developmental disabilities is a highly prevalent yet understudied phenomenon. In particular, there is a paucity of literature surrounding the role of gender and the experiences of men. Using a cross-sectional study design, we surveyed 350 people with diverse developmental disabilities about experiences of abuse, perpetrators of abuse, and their physical and mental health status. These data were analyzed to determine whether gender influenced these domains. Statistical methods included chi-square, independent t tests, logistic regression, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Male and female participants reported abuse at high rates, with 61.9% of men and 58.2% of women reporting abuse as children and 63.7% of men and 68.2% of women reporting abuse as adults. More women than men reported adult sexual abuse, but there was no gender difference in the prevalence of any other form of abuse. Women were more likely than men to identify an intimate partner as their abuser, although intimate partners represented the minority of abusers for both men and women. Violence was associated with worse health status regardless of participant gender. These findings confirm that violence is an important issue for both men and women with developmental disabilities. Although some expected gender differences arose, such as higher rates of adult sexual abuse and intimate partner violence against women, these differences were less pronounced than they are in the general population, and the overall picture of abuse was one of gender similarities rather than differences.