Respect serves as a protective factor for the quality of intimate relationships. In the current paper, the potential loss of respect for the male partner as a predictor for the female partner's use of physical intimate violence was examined. The analysis drew upon the perceptions and experiences of 25 African men who sought medical assistance following episodes of physical intimate violence. Additional perspectives from five specialists who worked with the victims were also included. Findings demonstrate that the quality of a relationship is positively predicted by mutual respect toward partners. The loss of respect for the male counterpart is positively predicted as a risk factor for the female partner's use of physical intimate violence. The results and their implications are discussed within the scope of the related literature.
Citation: Emmanuel Rowlands. “I just need respect as a man that's all”: dynamics of respect and physical intimate violence among African men in Johannesburg[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2024, 11(4): 403-420. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2024028
Respect serves as a protective factor for the quality of intimate relationships. In the current paper, the potential loss of respect for the male partner as a predictor for the female partner's use of physical intimate violence was examined. The analysis drew upon the perceptions and experiences of 25 African men who sought medical assistance following episodes of physical intimate violence. Additional perspectives from five specialists who worked with the victims were also included. Findings demonstrate that the quality of a relationship is positively predicted by mutual respect toward partners. The loss of respect for the male counterpart is positively predicted as a risk factor for the female partner's use of physical intimate violence. The results and their implications are discussed within the scope of the related literature.
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