Foregrounding Meaning and Motive in the Domestic Abuse Perpetration of and Response to Neurodivergent Men

Renehan, Nicole

Abstract

Typological approaches have thus far neglected the perpetration, profiles, and response to neurodivergent men who are autistic, have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those experiencing psychosis. This article addresses this gap, though adopts a psychoanalytic, psychosocial analysis of neurodivergent men’s domestic abuse, using a case study approach. Drawing on the lives of three, non-learning disabled, neurodivergent men, this article reveals that neurodivergence does not cause domestic abuse, as meaning and motive was still discernible in their use of and relevant in the response to their violence and abuse. As I show, this does not obviate the need for more inclusive responses, as neurodivergent men experience additional barriers on mainstream programs that are developed and delivered by and for neurotypical people. This article offers a new contribution to the theoretical and empirical literature on the domestic abuse perpetration of neurodivergent men and criminal justice interventions. Practice and research implications are discussed.

Citation

Renehan, N. (2024). Foregrounding Meaning and Motive in the Domestic Abuse Perpetration of and Response to Neurodivergent Men. Deviant Behavior, 45(12), 1682–1697. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2024.2319638

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 18, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Journal: Deviant Behavior
• Print ISSN: 0163-9625
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-0456
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1682–1697
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2024.2319638
• Keywords: Domestic abuse; neurodiversity; domestic abuse perpetrator programs; autism; ADHD; psychosis
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2270385