title: Heterogeneity among violence-exposed women: applying person-oriented research methods.
abstract: Variability of experience and outcomes among violence-exposed people pose considerable challenges toward developing effective prevention and treatment protocols. To address these needs, the authors present an approach to research and a class of methodologies referred to as person oriented. Person-oriented tools support assessment of meaningful patterns among people that distinguish one group from another, subgroups for whom different interventions are indicated. The authors review the conceptual base of person-oriented methods, outline their distinction from more familiar variable-oriented methods, present descriptions of selected methods as well as empirical applications of person-oriented methods germane to violence exposure, and conclude with discussion of implications for future research and translation between research and practice. The authors focus on violence against women as a population, drawing on stress and coping theory as a theoretical framework. However, person-oriented methods hold utility for investigating diversity among violence-exposed people's experiences and needs across populations and theoretical foundations.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Training Program, School of Social Work, University of Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Paula S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Nurius
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Macy
mesh_terms: D018585:Battered Women / Q000145:classification; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000145:classification; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D008960:Models, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D012931:Social Environment; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000145:classification*; D016387:Women's Health