Men's Views on Psychological Abuse Between Partners

Important note - This survey is the exclusive property of R.M.I.T (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology). It's presence here is purely for demostrational purposes. Use of this document for any purpose shall be a direct violation of copyright.


Good morning/afternoon/evening. My name is ......... , and I’m a student at the RMIT University. As part of my study in the Department of Justice and Youth Affairs at RMIT University my class investigating men’s perceptions in relation to the issue of psychological abuse between partners. In order to obtain relevant information, we are conducting a survey which will only take 10 minutes to complete.

Participation in the survey is completely voluntary, confidential and all participants will remain anonymous. Please answer all questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. You may withdraw from completing the survey at any time if you do not wish to continue. If you have any hesitations or queries, feel free to ask

_________________________________________________________________________________

Q1. Compared to the following community issues, how important is the issue of domestic violence between partners Please rank from 1 to 6 where ‘1’ represents the most important issue to you.

The Environment

q

The Economy

q

Crime

q

Education

q

The Health System

q

Honesty in Government

q

 

Q2. What, of the following, do you understand domestic violence to include?

Physical Violence

q

Emotional Abuse

q

Psychological Abuse

q

Neglect

q

(DO NOT STATE) All of the above

q

 

Q3. Psychological abuse can include many things. From the list below, do you agree or disagree that the following are examples of psychological abuse.

 

Strongly

Agree

Mildly

Agree

Mildly

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Offensive Behaviour

q

q

q

q

Continuous Neglect

q

q

q

q

Lying and Manipulation

q

q

q

q

Aggressive yelling/screaming

q

q

q

q

Degrading Comments

q

q

q

q

Threatening Language

q

q

q

q

 

For the purpose of this survey, we are going to include all of the above as forms of psychological abuse. Would you like me to read them out again?

 

Q4. Do you believe that psychological abuse is a part of domestic violence?

Yes q

No q

 

Q5. Have you personally ever known someone who was a victim of psychological abuse?

Yes q

No q

 

Q6. Have you ever personally known someone who was a perpetrator of psychological abuse?

Yes q

No q

Q7. What do you think is the most common cause of psychological abuse between partners?

Please rank in order of frequency.

Intoxication

q

Financial Difficulties

q

Partner Did Something Wrong

q

Jealousy

q

Stress

q

Other ......................................

Please Specify

2q

 

Q8. In the following example, do you believe that psychological abuse would effect the victim?

(Interviewer read out) A partner comes home from work each night and continuously uses offensive language and put-downs that belittle their partner and make them feel worthless. The abusive partner wants everything done ‘perfectly’ according to them. If they don’t like what they see they will use words like ‘You’re worthless’, ‘You can’t do anything right’, ‘You’re hopeless’ and ‘You shouldn’t be living’. These put-downs have been occurring several times each week for the last three months.

Yes q (Go To Q9)

No q (Go To Q10)

 

Q9. If so, which of the following would be the most common response. Please rank the three most frequent only using ‘1’ to indicate most frequent ‘2’ for second most frequent and ‘3’ for the third most frequent response.

Feelings of Revenge q

Depression q

Anxiety q

Family Breakdown q

Suicide Attempts q

Lowered self-esteem q

Stress q

Health Problems eg. eating/sleeping disorders q

 

Q10. Imagine that you hear a neighbour yelling and screaming at their partner late one evening. They are hurling abusive comments and intense crying can be heard.

Do you consider this to be a form of psychological abuse?

Yes q

No q

Other, please specify q

 

 

Q11. What do you personally think it would be best for you, as a neighbour, to do in above situation?

Choose one option only.

I’d want to help but wouldn’t know what to do

q

Go next door while the argument is still going

on to see if you could be of any assistance

q

Approach victim after things have calmed down

to see if you could be of any assistance

q

Contact the police immediately

q

Contact community services

q

Q12. Why do you think this would be the best action to take?

INTERVIEWER: RECORD RESPONDENT ANSWERS VERBATIM.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Q13. Thinking about the example previously described, who do you feel has the most responsibility to do something about the situation?

Choose one option only.

No-one outside the couple themselves q

Only close relatives of the couple q

Only relatives or friends of the couple q

Only those people the victim has asked to help q

Anyone who knows that psychological abuse has taken place q

(INTERVIEWER: DO NOT STATE) No option q

 

Q14. Do you personally believe that psychological abuse should be a matter for the police to become involved in?

Yes, always a police matter q

Yes, sometimes a police matter q

Not sure q

No, never a police matter q

 

 

Now, we need to know a little about you. All information remains confidential.

Q15. In what region of Melbourne do you live?

North East q

(Record area )

North West q

 

South East q

 

South West q

 

Outside of Melbourne q

 

 

Q16. Into which of the following age groups do you belong?

READ OUT GROUPS

18-24 q

43-48 q

 

25-30 q

49-54 q

 

31-36 q

55 + q

 

37-42 q

 

Q17. What is your current marital status?

Single q

 

In a relationship q

 

Married/De Facto q

 

Separated\Divorced q

3

Widowed q

Q18. Would you please tell me what is

No Schooling q

the highest level of education you have completed?

Some Primary q

 

Finished Primary q

 

1-4 Yrs Secondary q

 

5-6 Yrs Secondary q

 

Some Tertiary q

 

Certificate/Diploma q

 

Degree q

 

Refused q

 

 

Q19. What is your occupation?

Manager/Administrator q

 

Professional q

 

Para-Professional q

 

Tradesperson q

 

Clerk q

 

Sales or Service Worker q

 

Plant operator or Driver q

 

Labourer q

 

Home Duties q

 

Student q

 

Retired q

 

 

Q20 Into which of the following brackets does your

Less than $10,000 q

personal income fall?

$10 - 20,000 q

READ OUT GROUPS

$20 - 30,000 q

 

$30 - 40,000 q

 

$40 - 50,000 q

 

Over $50,000 q

 

 

 

Q21. If applicable, what is the combined income of your household?

Less than $40,000 q

 

$40 - 50,000 q

READ OUT GROUPS

$50 - 60,000 q

 

$60 - 70,000 q

 

Over $70,000 q

 

 

Q22. Who were you mainly brought up by?

Mother q

 

Father q

 

Mother and Father q

 

Mother and Step-Father or De Facto q

 

Father and Step-mother or De Facto q

 

Other Relatives (eg Grandparents) q

 

Foster Family q

 

Adoptive Parents q

 

Institution q

 

Other q

 

Q23. What nationality are you? .......................................................................................

 

Thank-you very much for your time and co-operation

Written by Bondy J. & Maunders D. 1998-99