Individual differences and social contexts: the absence of family deterrence of spousal abuse in San Jose, Costa Rica

Abstract

Independent samples of 261 women and 138 men in San José, Costa Rica, were screened for involvement in committed sexual relationships during the past year, but not with each other. Females reported on victimization by spousal aggression and males on perpetration. Family structure parameters were also assessed: (1) local density of female kin, (2) local density of male kin, (3) social support provided by local kin, (4) socioeconomic status of close kin, and (5) "culture of honor" (COH) revenge ideology. Previously documented effects of partner mate value on spousal abuse were cross- culturally replicated, but the interactive effects of male kin density previously documented in Hermosillo, Sonora, did not predict family deterrence of spousal abuse in San José, Costa Rica. A recent cross-cultural survey had found that San José, Costa Rica, situated within a predominantly farming region, was relatively low in COH but that Hermosillo, Sonora, situated within a predominantly herding region, was relatively high in COH. Thus, individual convictions, such as a personal code of honor, may be ineffective outside of a supportive social context. Individuals with high COH, acting within a low-COH social context, were unable to project the influence they normally exert within a supportive, high-COH, social context.