How Relationship Dissolution Shapes Domestic Violence Outcomes

University of Mississippi researchers Francis Danso Boateng and Samuel K. Agboola have some insights in the matter. Boateng, an associate professor of criminal justice and legal studies, and Agboola, a doctoral student in the department, collaborated on a study of domestic violence outcomes and the possibility of fatalities.

"We were interested in seeing how relationship dissolution affects domestic violence outcomes, whether it leads to fatal outcomes or non-fatal outcomes," Boateng said. "We also looked at the use of weapons in these situations." 

The goal was to see what influences whether someone gets hurt or killed in these situations. The researchers hoped to draw attention to the need to limit certain people's access guns, especially men with a record of domestic abuse, Boateng said.

Mississippi has not closed the "boyfriend loophole" that prevents people with a domestic violence background from owning guns. 

Women in the U.S. are 28 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than women in other high-income countries, according to data compiled by Everytown. The presence of a gun in domestic violence situations makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed.

For this study, the researchers focused on a subsample of 309 domestic homicide cases, which included both fatal and non-fatal incidents involving partners, relatives or family members. The data was originally collected to study mass shootings and gun-related incidents in the U.S. from 1980 to 2018.

The data set included details on the location, setting, offender and victim characteristics, weapon types, legal and medical history, and media coverage. The information was compiled from multiple sources, including law enforcement and court records, existing databases and news reports.

Boateng and Agboola found that weapons, especially guns, are a critical factor determining whether relationship breakups turn deadly.

When assaults were committed with a weapon, nearly half used a handgun. Smaller numbers used a shotgun, 13%; a rifle, 14%; an assault weapon, 3%; a defensive weapon, 10%; or other types of weapons, 13%.

Defensive weapons are those that are used for protecting against an attack, such as stun guns or pepper spray.

"When a defensive weapon is present, it's associated with a non-fatal outcome," Agboola said. "So self-defense can reduce fatalities, but the presence of guns increases the risk."

The study found that most shootings – 63% – involve intimate partners, though children and extended family members are also frequently involved. Mental health issues were common – found in 42% of cases – but they did not explain the connection between breakups and fatal outcomes.

However, the likelihood of a fatal outcome was higher when the shooter was an extended family member rather than a partner or child. This highlights that who the shooter is can significantly affect how deadly a domestic violence incident becomes.

"The key message is that domestic homicide is a problem, and one of the things that can determine whether someone will lose their life is the use of weapons," Boateng said. "We call for attention to ensure certain types of weapons shouldn't be in the hands of domestic abusers or people with a prior record of domestic abuse."

Top: The breakup of a relationship can lead to hurt feelings, confrontation and even violence. Ole Miss researchers have found that the presence of a gun in the home greatly increases the chances that a breakup will turn deadly. Photo illustration by John McCustion/University Marketing and Communications