The Legal and Psychosocial Context of Family Violence: Toward a Social Ecological Analysis

Posted: 27 Sep 2000

See all articles by Mark R. Fondacaro

Mark R. Fondacaro

University of Florida, Dept of Pysch and Levin College of Law

Shelly Jackson

University of Nebraska at Lincoln; Government of the United States of America - National Institute of Justice

Abstract

The purpose of this special issues is to advance our understanding of family violence by utilizing a social ecological framework that both encompasses and addresses the interrelationship between the legal and psychosocial contexts of family violence (Bronfenbrenner 1979; Garbarino 1977; Goldstein 1994; Moos 1973). A social ecological framework necessitates acknowledging and understanding that human behavior is influenced by several levels of analysis rather than only immediate and intrapersonal influences. Based on this perspective, researchers must take into account social, contextual, environmental, and individual factors to fully understand a particular phenomenon such as family violence. The articles themselves reflect current scholarly and professional trends towards a more interdisciplinary, systemic approach to complex psychosocial problems such as family violence. Each of the articles has a distinct focus on a particular aspect of family violence while at the same time highlighting several common themes: the interrelationship between law and social/cultural contexts, the importance of moving beyond overly individualistic assumptions about human behavior, and the importance of procedural fairness and substantive considerations across the varied legal and extralegal contexts in which interpersonal conflicts occur.

Suggested Citation

Fondacaro, Mark R. and Jackson, Shelly, The Legal and Psychosocial Context of Family Violence: Toward a Social Ecological Analysis. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=179708

Mark R. Fondacaro (Contact Author)

University of Florida, Dept of Pysch and Levin College of Law ( email )

PO Box 112250
Gainesville, FL 32611-2550
United States
352-392-0601 (Phone)
352-392-7985 (Fax)

Shelly Jackson

University of Nebraska at Lincoln ( email )

121 South 13th Street Suite 302
Lincoln, NE 68583
United States
402-472-3479 (Phone)
402-472-8412 (Fax)

Government of the United States of America - National Institute of Justice

810 Seventh St., NW
Washington, DC 20531
United States
202-305-8655 (Phone)

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