annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

attending the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project were assessed. Subjects completedmeasures of neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning. Their history of neurologicallyrelevant events was also documented.A high prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), child abuse and substance relateddifficulties were found. Based on presence or absence of TBI, the subjects were divided intotwo groups. Statistically significant differences were obtained on level of current full scaleIQ, indicating a deterioration in level of general intellectual ability and on some measures ofexecutive functioning.The implications of the high incidence of impairment in executive functions for treatmentprogrammes is outlined. Discussion also focuses on the possibility of executive deficitscontributing to increasing likelihood of violent behaviour, methodological concerns, anddirections for future research. Although the study findings cannot confirm the nature of therelationship between TBI and violent behaviour, the findings do support brain dysfunctionbeing a risk factor for batterers with criminally violent histories.Source: Author’s abstractMatenga, C. J. (1999). Sibling violence and the sibling’s role in childhood development and socialadjustment. The Bulletin of the New Zealand Psychological Society, (97), 51-53, 56.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13074.pubTopic Areas: Sibling violence, FamiliesAbstract: This article explores violence within sibling relationships. The author provides anoverview of previous research in this area, and emphasises the paucity of research into siblingviolence in New Zealand and internationally. A pilot study into sibling violence wasconducted with a sample of 51 high school students, aged 13 to 15 years, from the Waikatoregion. Data was collected about sibling relationships in students’ self-reports and students’reports on other siblings in their homes. The results indicate relatively high levels of siblingviolence. Levels of sibling violence between all brother, all sister and mixed gender familiesare compared. Limitations of the study include the small sample size and obtaining data fromonly one source.Maude, J. (1996). Empathy in child sex offenders: A preliminary evaluation of a therapy moduledesigned to enhance victim empathy. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Waikato,Hamilton, New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13177.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Incest, Perpetrators/offenders, Social services,Prevention/intervention/treatmentAbstract: The aim of this investigation was to assess and compare the empathetic ability of 7incarcerated incest offenders who had volunteered to undergo treatment at the Te PiritiSpecial Treatment Unit. Using a multiple case study design, this study aimed to evaluate thetherapeutic efficiency of the Victim Impact therapy module (designed to enhance empathy)through therapy and post-treatment administration of a series of both qualitative andquantitative measures of general and victim specific empathy.Pre-therapy, results indicate that this sample of incest offenders possessed an average level ofgeneral empathy in comparison with a sample of non offenders, yet lacked the ability toempathise with their victim(s). Post-treatment assessments revealed positive changes in theoffender’s ability to empathise with their victim. However, levels of general empathy111