The Role of Self-Control in Predicting Intimate Partner Violence Specialization in an Australian Community Sample

Abstract Purpose This study builds on knowledge of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration by examining theoretically important aspects this crime within an Australian community sample. More specifically, the current examines relationship between IPV offenders’ levels self-control and offense specialization determines whether differs gender. Method An online survey advertised social media yielded analysis sample 155 females 170 males. Self-control was measured using Brief Self-Control scale with Offense Specialization Coefficient (OSC) a multilevel item response theory measurement approach. Results Findings indicate that offenders low are more versatile in their offending evident pronounced for females. Conclusions mostly supportive Gottfredson Hirschi’s General Theory Crime highlight differences offender populations should be considered when designing targeted prevention intervention methods.