The effects of absolute status, relative status, and patriarchal culture on the victimization of women: An international comparative study

Abstract

This study examines the effects of women's absolute status, relative status, and patriarchal culture on women's victimization within and across nations. The study uses a multilevel mixed-effects model on the World Value Survey Wave 7 dataset. At the individual level, results show that women with higher financial status (absolute status) are victimized at lower rates. Women are also more likely to be victimized based on relative status, such as being the main wage earner, thus supporting the Backlash hypothesis. Additionally, women engaging in more social activities, which aligns with the opportunity perspective, show a higher risk of victimization. At the country level, women's relative status is significant, as is the positive association between patriarchal culture and women's victimization, supporting the Backlash hypothesis again. Overall, the findings suggest the need for the utilization of appropriate methodological and theoretical approaches to examine women's victimization.