domestic violence in the adventist church - Southern Adventist ...

Andrews UniversityFamily Life ConferenceRene’ DrummDuane McBrideMarciana PopescuJan WrennJerry ThayerRonda WestmanJuly 25, 2004

Methodology• Stratified random sample of churches– Conference– Church size• In-person presentation followed bysurvey and group participation,collection box• Presentation followed by individualparticipation, SASE

Data Collection• Churches:– Brief presentation of study;– Surveys distributed directly;– Self-addressed envelopes and lockedcollection box provided.

Negative Actions BetweenPartnersLifetimeCurrentTold you want to do and expectedobedience44% 31%Insulted, swore at you, or called younames40% 26%Ignored or discounted youraccomplishments or activities33% 22%Made big family and householddecisions without consulting you28% 18%Limited your involvement with others 28% 17%Was extremely jealous or accusedyou of having an affair24% 13%

Negative Actions BetweenPartners – Cont.Lifetime CurrentDeprived you of heat, food, or sleep 7% 3%Beat you up 7% 2%Threatened to use a weapon on you 6% 2%Raped you 6% 1%Threatened to abuse your children 5% 2%Used a weapon on you 2%

Physical AssaultActions Female MalePushed, shoved, or grabbed you 29% 17%Used you sexually against your will 18% 8%Beat you up 9% 2%Overall physical assault rate for this 19% 9%populationOverall physical assault rate forgeneral population22% 7%

Problem-Solving and CopingBehaviorsHelp-Seeking and Coping BehaviorsMost TriedPrayed about it 97%Talked the situation over with the person 81%Talked it over with a friend 76%Talked it over with a relative 64%Talked it over with a church member 59%Went to see the pastor 44%Went to a professional counselor 43%Bought a self-help book about it 42%Went to a support group 27%Discussed it with family doctor or OB/GYN 19%

Rank Difference Between Effortsand EffectivenessHelp-Seeking andCoping Behaviors% TriedSignificantDifference/SolvedProblemRankDifferencePrayed about it 97% 75% -0-Talked the situation over withthe person81% 45% -2Talked it over with a friend 76% 49% +1Talked it over with a relative 64% 43% -1Talked about it with a churchmember59% 41% -1

Rank Difference Between Effortsand Effectiveness – Cont.Help-Seeking andCoping Behaviors% TriedSignificantDifference/SolvedProblemRankDifferenceWent to see the pastor 44% 37% -2Went to see a professionalcounselor43% 46% +4Bought a self-help book 42% 39% +1Went to a support group 27% 34% -0-Discussed it with my familydoctor or OB/GYN19% 25% -0-

Negative Coping BehaviorsBehaviorsLifetimeOverate or ate too little 46%Took a tranquilizer or other drugs 18%Drank alcohol 17%Secretly got revenge 14%Violently struck back 13%

Effects of Family Difficulties –Physical HealthBehavior(In the past year)1 or2/MonthYour spouse drinks alcohol 8%You used alcohol 11%Your spouse takes illegal drugs 1%You took illegal drugs 1%

Effects of Family Difficulties –Emotional HealthBehavior(In the past month)1 or2/MonthFelt worn out or tired 33%Felt very nervous 32%Felt your life was our of control 26%Felt so sad, blue, down-in-the-dumps thatnothing could cheer youAvoided thinking about difficulties in yourpast26%24%

Effects of Family Difficulties –Spiritual HealthBehavior(In the past month)1 or2/MonthTook away time from your personaldevotions23%Discouraged you from going to church 21%Held you back from your Christian witness 21%Decreased your church activities 20%Led you to distrust God 20%

Programming PlanningWhat might help?ActivityEncourage children toparticipate in abuseprevention programsAttend a church-sponsoredworkshop in strengtheningrelationshipsTalk to the pastor about theproblem if he/she hasspecialized training inabusive issuesWouldDefinitelyMightUseWouldNot Use58% 36% 6%49% 43% 8%47% 43% 10%

Programming PlanningWhat might help?ActivityRead books about violencesupplied by the churchAttend a seminar orweekend workshop to dealwith past abuse issuesTalk to the pastor about theproblemGo to a counselor in thecommunity that my pastorrecommended for helpWouldDefinitelyMightUseWouldNot Use41% 47% 12%39% 48% 14%35% 47% 18%32% 54% 14%

Programming PlanningWhat might help?ActivityGo to a shelter for Adventistsor ChristiansTalk to a lay-person in mychurch who the church hasidentified as having expertisein abusive relationshipsAttend a support group inthe church if I knew it wasconfidentialWouldDefinitelyMightUseWouldNot Use32% 46% 23%29% 51% 21%29% 50% 21%

Programming PlanningWhat might help?ActivityGo to a counselor in thechurch that my pastorrecommended for helpGo to a shelter in mycommunityKeep the issues of abuseout of the church and leave itto the community to dealwithWouldDefinitelyMightUseWouldNot Use28% 52% 20%18% 42% 40%8% 28% 65%

Opinions andAttitudesStronglyDisagreeDisagree Neutral AgreeStronglyAgreeDomestic abuse is aserious problem in theAdventist churchIf women would submit totheir husbands as Goddesires there would beless spouse abuseIf a woman submits toher husband as Goddesires, God will give herthe strength to endurethe abuse2% 10% 42% 32% 13%37% 37% 15% 8% 3%51% 30% 11% 6% 3%

Opinions andAttitudesThe severity ofdomestic abuse hasbeen exaggerated bythe “women’smovement”If the couple goes forcounseling the abusewill likely stopMany men useviolence againstwomen to gain powerand controlAbuse only occurs ifphysical violencehappensStronglyDisagree Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree33% 33% 21% 10% 3%6% 37% 42% 13% 2%2% 4% 10% 48% 35%57% 35% 3% 2% 4%

Opinions andAttitudesEmotional abusecan be just asharmful as physicalabuseAs a Christian, Ishould be willing toaccept a marriage inwhich someviolence is present,rather thanseparation ordivorceThe Bible is theanswer to ALLhuman problemsStronglyDisagree Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree5% 3% 1% 27% 64%48% 32% 11% 7% 2%6% 14% 17% 27% 36%

Childhood Violence HistoryCompared to children you knew as youwere growing up, would you say youhad more, about the same, or lessphysical punishment than they did?Less Same More31% 46% 23%Left a MarkWere you ever punished to the point thatthe punishment caused injury that…. 32%

Childhood Violence History –Cont.Looking back,how severe doyou see thatpunishmenttoday?NotAbusePossiblyAbusiveProbablyAbusiveDefinitelyAbusive68% 12% 6% 14%

Childhood Violence History –Cont.Did your parents ever prevent you from eating ordeprive you of food as a punishment?Yes12%Did your parents ever deprive you of medical care? 4%Were you exposed to emotional/verbal abuse as a child? 36%Were you exposed to sexual abuse as a child? 14%Were you exposed to neglect as a child? 9%Were you exposed to no abuse as a child? 49%

Childhood Violence History –Cont.WeeklyOnce aMonthFewTimesa YearCoupleofTimesOnceNeverIf there were times when yourfather hit your mother or threwsomething at her, how often doyou remember that happening?How about your mother hittingyour father? How often did thathappen?Were there times when yourmother was emotionally orverbally abusive to your father?Were there times when yourfather was emotionally orverbally abusive to yourmother?3% 2% 4% 7% 5% 79%1% 1% 2% 6% 4% 86%8% 6% 11% 13% 2% 60%13% 6% 12% 11% 3% 56%

RECOMMENDATIONS• Promote an environment of peace in ourfamilies• Condemn violence in any form• Use church-approved mediums tocommunicate about these goals

RECOMMENDATIONS, Cont.• Use past behavior to predict futurebehavior in planning interventions– Prayer– Informal networks; communication– Pastoral counseling– Professional counseling

RECOMMENDATIONS, Cont.• Use information about past effectivenessto improve future effectiveness– Communication seminars– Pastor training– Promote the use of professional counselors– Develop a library of materials for members touse

RECOMMENDATIONS, Cont.• Use information about what respondentssay they will use– Develop and promote violence preventionprograms for children– Train pastors to understand the dynamics ofviolence– Identify and support Adventist shelters

RECOMMENDATIONS, Cont.• Use information about what respondentssay they will use– Sponsor weekend seminars for members todeal with past abuse– Sponsor workshops to strengthenrelationships– Develop outside resources in the communityfor church members who are hurting

Who is most likely to talk to a lay person?An older person with a lower incomeModel12Coefficients(a)UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.336 .092 25.299 .000Income -.055 .018 -.110 -3.026 .003(Constant) 2.215 .108 20.508 .000Income -.058 .018 -.116 -3.171 .002Age .036 .017 .078 2.127 .034a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Talk to a lay-person in my church with expertise

Who is most likely to go to a counselor in thecommunity that the pastor recommends?A person with neglect issuesCoefficients(a)Model1UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.178 .025 88.632 .000Exposedto neglectabuse asa child?.204 .083 .089 2.469 .014a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Go to a counselor in the community recommendedby my pastor

Who is most likely to use the services of acounselor in the church?An older male with lower educationCoefficients(a)Model1UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.389 .106 22.517 .000Your educationlevel-.068 .022 -.110 -3.063 .002(Constant) 2.240 .119 18.845 .0002Your educationlevel-.072 .022 -.117 -3.261 .001Age .046 .017 .099 2.750 .006(Constant) 2.118 .133 15.934 .0003Your educationlevel-.076 .022 -.123 -3.426 .001Age .045 .017 .095 2.652 .008Sex .104 .051 .073 2.035 .042a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Go to a counselor in the church that my pastorrecommended

Who is most likely to go to a community shelter?Older femalesModel12Coefficients(a)UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.336 .092 25.299 .000Income -.055 .018 -.110 -3.026 .003(Constant) 2.215 .108 20.508 .000Income -.058 .018 -.116 -3.171 .002Age .036 .017 .078 2.127 .034a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Go to a shelter in my community

Who is most likely to go to an Adventist shelter?Older, very conservative femalesCoefficients(a)Model1234Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized CoefficientsB Std. Error Betat Sig.(Constant) 2.536 .081 31.206 .000Sex -.332 .055 -.221 -6.068 .000(Constant) 2.812 .114 24.668 .000Sex -.323 .054 -.215 -5.946 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.130 .038 -.124 -3.421 .001(Constant) 2.820 .114 24.836 .000Sex -.313 .054 -.208 -5.769 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.135 .038 -.128 -3.553 .000Don't recall abuse as a child? -.410 .155 -.096 -2.652 .008(Constant) 2.611 .140 18.582 .000Sex -.324 .054 -.215 -5.969 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.109 .039 -.104 -2.799 .005Don't recall abuse as a child? -.413 .154 -.096 -2.678 .008Age .046 .018 .094 2.515 .012a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Go to a shelter for Adventists or Christians

Who is most likely to talk the situation over with the pastor?Conservative males with low education, frequentlyattend churchModelCoefficients(a)Unstandardized CoefficientsStandardized CoefficientsB Std. Error BetatSig.1(Constant) 2.514 .085 29.676 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.159 .036 -.158 -4.377 .000(Constant) 2.286 .109 20.912 .0002Practice the doctrines of your church -.165 .036 -.163 -4.558 .000Sex .170 .052 .117 3.272 .001(Constant) 2.616 .143 18.287 .0003Practice the doctrines of your church -.156 .036 -.155 -4.333 .000Sex .184 .052 .127 3.548 .000Your education level -.079 .022 -.126 -3.540 .000(Constant) 2.126 .232 9.159 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.118 .039 -.117 -3.060 .0024Sex .182 .052 .125 3.526 .000Your education level -.084 .022 -.135 -3.788 .000Church attendance .120 .045 .102 2.672 .008(Constant) 2.300 .247 9.307 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.117 .039 -.116 -3.050 .0025Sex .193 .052 .133 3.726 .000Your education level -.085 .022 -.137 -3.835 .000Church attendance .116 .045 .099 2.592 .010Parents prevent you from eating or deprive you of food aspunishment?-.154 .076 -.072 -2.021 .044a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Talk to the pastor about the problem

Who are most likely to talk to a trained pastor about the problem?Conservative males who attend church often, low education, medium incomeModelCoefficients(a)Unstandardized CoefficientsStandardized CoefficientsB Std. Error BetatSig.1(Constant) 2.602 .079 32.969 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.113 .034 -.119 -3.316 .001(Constant) 2.430 .102 23.912 .0002Practice the doctrines of your church -.118 .034 -.125 -3.475 .001Sex .131 .049 .096 2.672 .008(Constant) 2.062 .205 10.038 .0003Practice the doctrines of your church -.092 .036 -.098 -2.561 .011Sex .129 .049 .094 2.635 .009Church attendance .087 .042 .078 2.063 .039(Constant) 2.212 .216 10.230 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.083 .036 -.088 -2.295 .0224Sex .137 .049 .100 2.800 .005Church attendance .096 .042 .086 2.266 .024Your education level -.046 .021 -.078 -2.175 .030(Constant) 2.102 .222 9.478 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.087 .036 -.092 -2.403 .0175Sex .127 .049 .093 2.584 .010Church attendance .098 .042 .089 2.333 .020Your education level -.059 .022 -.102 -2.703 .007Income .038 .018 .080 2.138 .033a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Talk to the pastor about the problem if trained

Among females, who would talk to a trained pastor?Conservative with low educationCoefficients(a)ModelUnstandardizedCoefficientsStandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetatSig.(Constant) 2.600 .104 24.993 .00012Practice thedoctrines of yourchurch-.136 .045 -.139 -2.995 .003(Constant) 2.931 .168 17.476 .000Practice thedoctrines of yourchurchYour educationlevel-.124 .045 -.127 -2.728 .007-.078 .031 -.116 -2.506 .013a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Talk to the pastor about the problem if trainedb Selecting only cases for which Sex = Female

Who would attend a support group?Older, low education, childhood abuse issuesCoefficients(a)Model1UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.512 .106 23.747 .000Your education level -.095 .022 -.156 -4.324 .000(Constant) 2.364 .118 20.060 .0002Your education level -.100 .022 -.163 -4.547 .000Age .047 .017 .101 2.799 .005(Constant) 1.979 .181 10.920 .000Your education level -.097 .022 -.158 -4.423 .0003Age .049 .017 .106 2.967 .003Parents everdeprive you ofmedical care?.347 .124 .100 2.789 .005a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Attend a support group in the church if I knewit was confidential

Who would read books supplied by the church?Conservative people, with low education whoattend oftenModel123Unstandardized CoefficientsStandardized CoefficientsB Std. Error Beta(Constant) 2.573 .078 32.986 .000Practice the doctrines ofyour churchtSig.-.128 .034 -.136 -3.783 .000(Constant) 2.194 .196 11.206 .000Practice the doctrines ofyour church-.101 .036 -.107 -2.804 .005Church attendance .088 .042 .080 2.104 .036(Constant) 2.364 .210 11.279 .000Practice the doctrines ofyour churchCoefficients(a)-.092 .036 -.098 -2.555 .011Church attendance .095 .042 .087 2.282 .023Your education level -.046 .021 -.080 -2.230 .026a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Read books about violence supplied by thechurch

Who is likely to go to a weekend seminar to deal with past abuse issues?People who attend frequently, were deprived of medical care andtheir father was emotionally abusive to motherCoefficients(a)Model1UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 1.736 .128 13.548 .000Parents ever deprive you of medical care? .491 .121 .147 4.071 .0002(Constant) 1.702 .128 13.319Parents ever deprive you of medical care? .419 .122 .125 3.442.000.001Father was emotionally or verballyabusive to mother.044 .013 .120 3.291 .001(Constant) 1.305 .189 6.896.0003Parents ever deprive you of medical care? .407 .121 .122 3.355 .001Father was emotionally or verballyabusive to mother.045 .013 .122 3.372 .001Church attendance .112 .040 .101 2.834 .005a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Attend a seminar or weekend workshop todeal with past abuse issues

Who is most likely to attend a church-sponsored workshop?People who attend often, hold conservative views and wereneglected as childrenCoefficients(a)Model1234Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficientst Sig.B Std. Error Beta(Constant) 2.764 .073 37.633 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.152 .032 -.169 -4.792 .000(Constant) 2.632 .079 33.307 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.148 .031 -.165 -4.722 .000Mother was emotionally or verbally abusive to father .054 .013 .148 4.240 .000(Constant) 2.636 .079 33.476 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.148 .031 -.165 -4.750 .000Mother was emotionally or verbally abusive to father .045 .013 .123 3.420 .001Exposed to neglect abuse as a child? .224 .083 .097 2.692 .007(Constant) 2.254 .187 12.072 .000Practice the doctrines of your church -.120 .033 -.135 -3.606 .000Mother was emotionally or verbally abusive to father .046 .013 .127 3.540 .000Exposed to neglect abuse as a child? .222 .083 .096 2.673 .008Church attendance .087 .039 .084 2.250 .025a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Attend a church-sponsored workshop instrengthening relationships

Who would encourage their children to attendprevention workshops?Females who attend frequently and wereneglected as childrenModel123Unstandardized CoefficientsStandardized CoefficientsB Std. Error Beta(Constant) 2.060 .131 15.763 .000Church attendance .127 .036 .128 3.567 .000(Constant) 2.044 .131 15.660 .000Church attendance .127 .035 .128 3.585 .000Exposed to neglectabuse as a child?tSig..178 .077 .082 2.304 .021(Constant) 2.172 .144 15.117 .000Church attendance .127 .035 .128 3.604 .000Exposed to neglectabuse as a child?Coefficients(a).180 .077 .083 2.343 .019Sex -.093 .044 -.075 -2.109 .035a Dependent Variable: If Abusive: Encourage children to participate in abuseprevention programs

Who is most likely to see domestic abuse as aserious problem?Older, highly educated females, who weresexually abused as childrenCoefficients(a)Model4UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.957 .214 13.809 .000Sex -.292 .078 -.157 -3.733 .000Age .090 .027 .142 3.381 .001Your educationlevelExposed to sexualabuse as a child?.110 .035 .131 3.102 .002.340 .110 .130 3.093 .002a Dependent Variable: Domestic abuse is a serious problem in the Adventistchurch

People that would tend to agree with this statement:Conservative, older maleLower education and low incomeReceived physical injury when punishedFather was not emotionally or verbally abusive to motherModel6Coefficients(a)UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.325 .232 10.006 .000Sex .448 .070 .209 6.435 .000Your education level -.190 .030 -.207 -6.343 .000Age .065 .024 .094 2.738 .006Practice the doctrines ofyour churchFather was emotionally orverbally abusive to motherPhysical injury caused bypunishment-.134 .050 -.091 -2.688 .007-.054 .019 -.096 -2.807 .005.051 .025 .069 2.039 .042a Dependent Variable: If women would submit to their husbands there would beless spouse abuse

People that would tend to agree with this statement:Conservative, older person who was punished as achild by being deprived of foodModel3Coefficients(a)UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 1.583 .232 6.811 .000Practice the doctrinesof your church-.211 .058 -.158 -3.615 .000Age .082 .029 .123 2.834 .005Parents prevent youfrom eating or depriveyou of food aspunishment?.253 .120 .088 2.103 .036a Dependent Variable: If a woman submits to her husband, God will give her thestrength to endure

People that would tend to agree with this statement:Conservative, older menLower education and incomeFather was not emotionally or verbally abusive tomotherModel6Coefficients(a)UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.343 .242 9.690 .000Sex .559 .071 .254 7.856 .000Age .078 .024 .112 3.291 .001Your education level -.101 .032 -.107 -3.172 .002Father was emotionally orverbally abusive to motherPractice the doctrines ofyour church-.071 .019 -.123 -3.769 .000-.149 .051 -.098 -2.928 .004Income -.061 .026 -.079 -2.342 .019a Dependent Variable: The severity of domestic abuse has been exaggerated bythe "women's movement"

People that would tend to agree withthis statement:Women with higher educationCoefficients(a)Model2UnstandardizedCoefficientsBStd.ErrorStandardizedCoefficientsBetatSig.(Constant) 4.207 .190 22.147 .000Sex -.397 .077 -.217 -5.135 .000Youreducationlevel.097 .035 .118 2.786 .006a Dependent Variable: Men use violence against women to gain power andcontrol

People that would tend to agree with this statement:Older menLower incomes and educationNot punished with food deprivationCoefficients(a)Model5UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 2.063 .247 8.363 .000Your education level -.120 .032 -.162 -3.755 .000Age .077 .024 .136 3.238 .001Sex .201 .069 .124 2.917 .004Income -.064 .026 -.103 -2.405 .017Parents prevent you fromeating or deprive you offood as punishment?-.217 .104 -.088 -2.093 .037a Dependent Variable: Abuse only occurs if physical violence happens

People that would tend to agree withthis statement:Women who were sexually abusedModel2Coefficients(a)UnstandardizedCoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 4.632 .138 33.621 .000Exposed tosexualabuse as achild?.283 .126 .097 2.249 .025Sex -.179 .090 -.085 -1.992 .047a Dependent Variable: Emotional abuse can be just as harmful as physicalabuse

People that would tend to agree with this statement:Conservative, older maleLower educationMother did not hit father, but was emotionallyabusive to fatherModel6Coefficients(a)Unstandardized CoefficientsB Std. Error BetaStandardizedCoefficients t Sig.(Constant) 1.793 .218 8.238 .000Sex .421 .066 .210 6.372 .000Practice the doctrines of yourchurch-.150 .047 -.109 -3.180 .002Your education level -.085 .028 -.099 -3.003 .003How about your mother hittingyour father? How often did thathappen?Mother was emotionally orverbally abusive to father-.134 .042 -.119 -3.183 .002.061 .021 .108 2.872 .004Age .050 .022 .078 2.258 .024a Dependent Variable: I should be willing to accept a marriage with someviolence