Male violence against women. Current research and future directions

Women and men, authors and victims of workplace bullying in Italy: a literature review

INTRODUCTION

It is known in literature that women are frequently victims of murder, sexual assault and stalking. It is interesting to investigate the gender characterization when workplace bullying occurs.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the phenomenon of workplace bullying and to understand if there are any relevant data about the gender aspects of workplace bullying by reviewing the literature in Italy.

METHODS

Review of articles on a sample of Italian workers. The research question followed the P.E.C.O. model and the article selection is based on PRISMA statement. Fourteen research strings were applied on: Pubmed, Microsoft Academic e Science Direct. A total of 32 articles were selected.

RESULTS

There are few studies in which gender differences on workplace bullying and crimes related are analysed, in some cases it is considered in the research but not in the results section (n=6 articles). In the studies selected women are predominantly victims (n=10 articles), the aggressors instead are usually men (n=2 articles). The attacks suffered by women are frequently discriminations due to family management, children and gender related issues (n=6 articles). Men have the major consequences on mental health if compared to women (n=7 articles).

CONCLUSIONS

Gender is relevant in the characterization of workplace bullying. There is a need for further investigation focusing on gender differences between perpetrators and victims of workplace bullying offences. A unique evaluation protocol is necessary for evaluating workplace bullying, the crimes linked to it and gender differences, to obtain a more accurate comparability of data.

Mechanisms of Sex Differences in Fear and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Following sexual maturity, females disproportionately have higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and experience greater symptom severity and chronicity as compared with males. This observation has led many to examine sex differences in PTSD risk factors. Though relatively few, these studies reveal that the root causes of PTSD sex differences are complex, and partly represent interactions between sex-specific nonbiological and biological risk factors, which differentially shape PTSD vulnerability. Moreover, these studies suggest that sex-specific PTSD vulnerability is partly regulated by sex differences in fear systems. Fear, which represents a highly conserved adaptive response to threatening environmental stimuli, becomes pathological in trauma- and stress-based psychiatric syndromes, such as PTSD. Over the last 30 years, considerable progress has been made in understanding normal and pathological molecular and behavioral fear processes in humans and animal models. Thus, fear mechanisms represent a tractable PTSD biomarker in the study of sex differences in fear. In this review, we discuss studies that examine nonbiological and biological sex differences that contribute to normal and pathological fear behaviors in humans and animal models. This, we hope, will shed greater light on the potential mechanisms that contribute to increased PTSD vulnerability in females.

The Significance of Sheltering in the Lives of Four Women Affected by Abusive Relationships

Domestic violence is recognised as a pervasive problem in South Africa. This study focused on the narratives of four abused women and attempted to establish the significance of sheltering in their lives. A qualitative research design was used based on semi-structured interviews, which were analysed thematically. The findings supported past research, indicating that although the women's experiences were diverse they contained many features similar to those reported in previous studies. Each of the four women was not a passive victim, having taken the decision to leave an abusive and violent relationship. Sheltering was found to provide the protected space necessary to move beyond the abuse, and in addition provided the structure and social support necessary to start to transcend the abuse. Sheltering was found to fill gaps created by a society in transition, in which abuse and violence are often tolerated or condoned within existing social and family structures.

Battered Women's Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy: Further Insights and Contributing Factors

A sample of battered women were surveyed regarding their perceived career barriers, self-esteem, locus of control, work-role attitudes, and self-efficacy for making career decisions. In addition, an investigation of these variables with respect to the battered woman's self-reported employment status was provided. Also included was an examination of battered women's beliefs about how the shelters could assist them in their career planning and implementation. Findings revealed that (a) unemployed battered women scored lower on career decision-making self-efficacy and endorsed a more traditional work role attitude as compared to employed battered women, (b) high self-esteem was related to greater self-efficacy for making career decisions, (c) an internal orientation was related to high self-esteem, and (d) higher perceptions of career barriers were related to an external expectancy. Further, self-esteem emerged as the most significant contributor to battered women's self-efficacy for career decision-making tasks. Battered women expressed assistance from shelters in finding secure employment and furthering their education.

Fear of Rape

This study examines the magnitude and prevalence of fear of crime as a function of seriousness and probability of occurrence among Greek university students aged 17 to 29. The findings show that fear of rape is the greatest fear of almost all young Greek women, greater than the fear of other serious offenses such as murder. This finding is interpreted in light of rape's reported likelihood in conjunction with its reported seriousness. Further, the precautionary measures show an avoidance pattern in Greek women toward crimes requiring them to physically defend themselves. The study's findings are similar to those reported in other countries and in line with the feminist claim regarding the universality of the fear of rape in the daily life of young women. Discussion includes explanations of high fear in terms of physical and social vulnerability and as a possible reflection of hidden violence against Greek women.

An Examination of Sexual Violence Against College Women

This investigation examined college women's experiences with unwanted sexual contact. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing the incidence of various types of forced sexual contact the women had experienced since enrolling in college. Demographic and situational variables associated with these incidents of sexual violence were also obtained. It was observed that since enrolling in college, 27% of the sample had experienced unwanted sexual contact ranging from kissing and petting to oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse. Type of sexual violence, perpetrator characteristics, and racial differences regarding types of unwanted sexual contact were examined. The implications of the data are discussed.

The American Psychological Association’s Committee on Women in Psychology

The Committee on Women in Psychology (CWP) of the American Psychological Association was founded in 1973 in response to the report of the Task Force on the Status of Women in Psychology. In this article, we set the context for the founding of the task force and committee and briefly describe the history of feminist critique of, and activism within, organized psychology in the United States. From its inception to the present day, CWP has been known as an activist group. We review some of the major contributions CWP has made over four decades in service of the feminist transformation of psychology. We also review the committee’s major contributions to psychology in the public interest, especially to the physical and mental health and well-being of women.

The effect of acculturation and immigration on the victimization and psychological distress link in a national sample of Latino women

Distinct bodies of research have examined the link between victimization and psychological distress and cultural variables and psychological health, but little is known about how cultural variables affect psychological distress among Latino victims. Substantial research has concluded that Latino women are more likely than non-Latino women to experience trauma-related symptoms following victimization. In addition, examination of different types of cultural adaptation has found results supporting the idea that maintaining ties with one's culture of origin may be protective against negative mental health outcomes. The present study evaluates the effect of victimization, immigrant status, and both Anglo and Latino orientation on psychological distress in a national sample of Latino women. Results indicate that along with the total count of victimization experiences, Anglo and/or Latino orientation were strong predictors of all forms of psychological distress. Anglo orientation also functioned as a moderator between victimization and psychological distress measures for anger, dissociation, and anxiety. The results suggest a more nuanced and complex interaction between cultural factors, victimization, and psychological distress.

The relationship between egalitarianism, dominance, and violence in intimate relationships

The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between egalitarianism, dominance, and intimate partner violence within the context of couples' dynamics. In particular, it was hypothesized that dominance and sexist attitudes would have both self and partner effects on relationship aggression. To test this hypothesis, gender role egalitarianism, dominance/control, sexism, power dynamics, and aggression were assessed using several measures. Questionnaires for these measures were completed by 87 heterosexual dyads. The relationship between female and male scores on the dominance, egalitarianism, sexism, and intimate partner violence scales were examined using Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Findings indicated that the APIM model provided a satisfactory fit to the data(). For both sexes, dominance had more explanatory power than sexism and egalitarianism when all else was controlled in the model. Furthermore, contrary to our expectation, male egalitarian attitude had no significant actor or partner effect on relationship aggression, while female egalitarian attitude had significant actor and partner effects on relationship aggression. Dyadic analysis indicated that cultural pointers of patriarchy, such as egalitarianism among young college students, were not associated with male-to-female violence. The sample size might also have an effect on this result in that a larger sample with older participants might yield different results.

Rehearsing for Real Life: The Impact of the InterACT Sexual Assault Prevention Program on Self-Reported Likelihood of Engaging in Bystander Interventions

The interACT Sexual Assault Prevention Program is an interactive, skill-building performance based on the pedagogy of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. A longitudinal evaluation of this program compared pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up data from 509 university student participants. Results suggested that the interACT performance was successful in increasing participants’ beliefs about the effectiveness of bystander interventions and the self-rated likelihood that participants would engage in bystander interventions in the future. Differences in both overall ratings and rates of change were noted. Implications of these results for research and practice are discussed.

Eliminating the battering of women by men: Some considerations for behavior analysis

Based on review of representative literature, history and current research indicate that battering by male partners is a major health problem for women. Use of physical aggression and verbal coercion can be described by three-term contingencies involving escape, avoidance, punishment, and positive reinforcement. These contingencies occur within societal practices, rules, and models that involve oppression of women and insubstantial consequences for men who batter. The difficulties in directly observing a couple's interactions and their aggression have been a methodological barrier to the involvement of behavior analysts in treatment of and research on domestic violence. Recommendations are made for behavior analysts to contribute to reducing battering through development and analysis of program components and application of contingency management and behavioral training technology.

Intimate partner violence and suicidality in low-income African American women: a multimethod assessment of coping factors

This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine psychological factors that influence links between intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicidality in a sample of low-income African American women. Quantitative results demonstrated greater general coping, more efficacious behavioral strategies in response to IPV, more effective use of resources, greater use of social support, and less substance use among women who did not attempt suicide compared with those who did. Qualitative findings showed that suicide attempters showed less adaptive coping strategies aimed at accommodating the abuser, whereas non-attempters were more focused on strategies that supported leaving the relationship and/or avoiding further harm.

Dyadic splitting in partner relational disorders

The defense mechanism of splitting appears to underlie many interpersonal problems that are presently classified within the category of relational disorders of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and, accordingly, bridges individual and family psychology. It is suggested here that certain relationships are marked by specific patterns and characteristics that can best be regarded as dyadic splitting. This article presents an overview of splitting in individuals and couples and reviews empirical studies establishing norms and validity of dyadic splitting, as measured by the Dyadic Splitting Scale. Research with samples of men who batter, battered women who return to their abusers, and couples clinically assessed as being narcissistically vulnerable demonstrates the presence of dyadic splitting in these populations. The notion of a defense mechanism influencing relationship dynamics strengthens the appreciation of mutuality between individual and relationship disorders and holds promise for treatment.

Posttraumatic stress disorder Part III: health effects of interpersonal violence among women

TOPIC

The aim of this three-part series is to examine the sufficiency of the posttraumatic stress (PTSD) diagnostic construct to capture the full spectrum of human responses to psychological trauma. Part I (Lasiuk & Hegadoren, 2006a) reviewed the conceptual history of PTSD from the nineteenth century to its inclusion in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1980), while Part II (Lasiuk & Hegadoren, 2006b) described subsequent refinements to the original PTSD diagnostic criteria and highlighted subsequent controversies.

PURPOSE

This paper focuses on interpersonal violence (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse/assault) and its sequelae in women. We argue in support of Judith Herman's (1992) conceptualization of the human trauma response as a spectrum, anchored at one end by an acute stress reaction that resolves on its own without treatment, and on the other by "complex" PTSD, with "classic" or "simple" PTSD somewhere between the two.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

he existing theoretical, clinical and research literatures related to humans responses to trauma.

CONCLUSION

The paper concludes with a call for the need to increase a gendered perspective in all aspects of trauma research and clinical service delivery.

Information processing of sexual abuse in elders

Sexual abuse is considered to be a pandemic contemporary public health issue, with significant physical and psychosocial consequences for its victims. However, the incidence of elder sexual assault is difficult to estimate with any degree of confidence. A convenience sample of 284 case records were reviewed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The purpose of this paper is to present the limited data noted on record review on four PTSD symptoms of startle, physiological upset, anger, and numbness. A treatment model for information processing of intrapsychic trauma is presented to describe domain disruption within a nursing diagnosis of rape trauma syndrome and provide guidance for sensitive assessment and intervention.

Sex offenders' response to treatment and its association with recidivism as a function of psychopathy

This study examined the relationship between recidivism and ratings of response to specialized cognitive behavioral treatment conducted in a prison setting among 418 sex offenders released to the community for an average follow-up period of over 5 years. As well as testing for a main effect for treatment ratings, the potential role of psychopathy assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R) as a moderator of response to treatment was investigated. Ratings of response to treatment failed to predict either serious (violent including sexual) or sexual recidivism. For the more inclusive outcome of serious recidivism, there was no significant interaction between psychopathy and treatment ratings; however, the ubiquitous effect of psychopathy on recidivism was found to be significant. For sexual recidivism, psychopathy was not significant as a main effect, but a significant interaction between psychopathy and treatment ratings was found. Among sex offenders with PCL-R scores of 25 or higher, those with ratings reflecting a more negative response to treatment recidivated sexually at a faster rate than others. This interaction effect was not significant when treatment noncompleters were removed from the data set. The results were discussed in terms of the methodology involved in the assessment of response to treatment among sex offenders.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology Among Partners of Men in Treatment for Relationship Abuse

This longitudinal study examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among current and former female partners (N = 96) of men participating in a group treatment program for partner abuse perpetrators. Female partner probable PTSD rates, obtained during time points corresponding with pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up for the male clients, were 52%, 34%, and 29%, respectively. Psychological abuse exposure was more strongly and uniquely associated with PTSD symptoms than was physical abuse exposure. Among psychological abuse ratings, denigration, restrictive engulfment, and dominance/intimidation behaviors evidenced the strongest associations with PTSD symptoms. Findings from this study suggest the association between psychological abuse and PTSD is complex and multidetermined.

Moving beyond the individual: examining the effects of domestic violence policies on social norms

To be effective, criminal justice policies should affect the underlying social norms for which the policies were enacted. This study sought to determine whether public perceptions of criminal justice policies on domestic violence affected social norms. Two waves of data were collected via a telephone survey where a random probability sample of 973 residents was drawn from 4 communities. A structural equation model was tested and confirmed. Results provided strong support for the hypothesis that perceptions of criminal justice policies have direct effects on attitudes toward criminal justice response, and indirect effects on victim-blaming attitudes, both underlying social norms related to domestic violence. The enactment of criminal justice policies, therefore, may have an impact beyond victims and perpetrators and lead to a transformation of the community through the emergence of new social norms. Public awareness campaigns designed to disseminate criminal justice policies may be instrumental in provoking social change.

Conceptualizing the harm done by rape: applications of trauma theory to experiences of sexual assault

Based on a review of theory and evidence, this article highlights the limitations of trauma response models and applications of posttraumatic stress to characterize the experiences of women who are raped. There are two primary problems with trauma response theories. First, traditional notions of trauma are likely too narrow to accurately capture the complexities of women's experiences of sexual violence in a gendered society. Second, the symptoms emphasized by clinical applications of the trauma model may legitimate one sociocultural manifestation of distress while excluding others. Alternative conceptualizations are presented to stimulate more ecologically grounded and culturally inclusive study of sexual violence. Using the rape of women as an example, this article illustrates the limitations of Western views of trauma and encourages researchers and practitioners to expand notions of survivors' responses to painful events.

Avoiding rape: the effects of protective actions and situational factors on rape outcome

While protective actions are consistently found to be important in rape avoidance, research is less clear on what forms of protective action are most effective. There is also little research on whether the effectiveness of particular protective actions varies depending upon the context of the assault. This study employs multivariate logistic regression to examine the situational effectiveness of physical, forceful verbal, and non-forceful verbal protective strategies using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey. It is predicted that failure to use physical and forceful verbal strategies will result in increased risk of rape as situational danger increases, while non-forceful verbal resistance will become less effective in more dangerous situations. Contrary to predictions, results indicate that the effectiveness of protective actions does not vary across most situations. Instead, among women who perform self-protective actions physical resistance is generally predictive of rape avoidance, forceful verbal resistance is ineffective, and non-forceful verbal resistance is predictive of rape completion.

The mediating roles of perceived social support and resources in the self-efficacy-suicide attempts relation among African American abused women

The authors examined whether self-efficacy among African American abused women decreased their risk of suicide attempts through the mediating influences of perceived social support from friends, perceived social support from family, and perceived effectiveness for obtaining material resources. The sample consisted of 100 women who presented to a hospital following a suicide attempt and 100 women who presented to the same hospital for nonemergency medical problems. Results revealed that the association between self-efficacy and suicide attempt status was partially accounted for by the mediating roles of perceived social support from friends and family, and perceived effectiveness at obtaining resources. Findings suggest that interventions to increase abused women's self-efficacy should focus on increasing their capacity to obtain social and material resources.

Risk factors for suicide attempts among African American women experiencing recent intimate partner violence

The purposes of this study were to identify risk factors for suicide attempts among 200 African American abused women (100 attempters, 100 nonattempters) and to test a cumulative risk model to determine if a woman's likelihood of making a suicide attempt increased as the number of risk factors increased. Results revealed that attempters were significantly more likely than nonattempters to report high levels of depressive symptoms, hopelessness, drug abuse, and childhood abuse and neglect. Results from the cumulative risk model revealed a linear association between the number of risk factors and the odds of making a suicide attempt. Compared to women with no risk factors, women with two risk factors, women with three risk factors, and women with four to five risk factors were 10, 25, and 107 times, respectively, more likely to attempt suicide. The identification of risk variables highlights the importance of designing interventions to address these factors in order to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior in abused, African American women.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in women: assessment and treatment in primary care

The focus of this article is to provide primary care clinicians with a better understanding of women who have undergone sexual trauma and have related post-traumatic stress disorder. Victimization has adverse physical and mental health effects and affects a woman's clinical presentation, her coping skills, and the primary care intervention strategies needed to treat her. The article reviews issues of victimization and related PTSD among women, including the prevalence and sequel of victimization, and provides a theoretical framework for primary care intervention, treatment, and referral.

Relationships among alcohol use, hyperarousal, and marital abuse and violence in Vietnam veterans

Alcohol use (frequency and quantity) and the hyperarousal feature of PTSD were examined in relation to male-perpetrated marital abuse and violence using data from 376 couples who participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Veteran's self-reported hyperarousal was significantly associated with partner's report of physical violence and psychological abuse toward her. Differential relationships were found between veteran's self reported drinking frequency and drinking quantity and the outcomes; of the two components, only the average quantity consumed per occasion was independently related to husband-to-wife violence. Moreover, a complex interaction emerged between hyperarousal and the two dimensions of alcohol consumption in predicting violence, with the relationship between hyperarousal and violence varying as a function of both drinking frequency and drinking quantity.

Maternal experiences of racism and violence as predictors of preterm birth: rationale and study design

Chronic psychological stress may raise the risk of preterm delivery by raising levels of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Women who have been the targets of racism or personal violence may be at particularly high risk of preterm delivery. The aims of this study are to examine the extent to which: (1) maternal experiences of racism or violence in childhood, adulthood, or pregnancy are associated with the risk of preterm birth; (2) CRH levels are prospectively associated with risk of preterm birth; and (3) CRH levels are associated with past and current maternal experiences of racism or violence. We have begun to examine these questions among women enrolled in Project Viva, a Boston-based longitudinal study of 6000 pregnant women and their children.

A multivariate model explaining men's violence toward women. Predisposing and triggering hypotheses

Violence against women by men is considered the single most serious threat to women's health and welfare in the United States. Knowledge about why male violence occurs against women is very limited. Previous theory and conceptualizations explaining men's violence have narrowly focused on individual factors or typologies. Predicting male violence is complex, necessitating a multivariate explanatory model. No heuristic model has been developed that explains the multiplicity of hypotheses that might explain men's violence toward women. This article presents a multivariate model explaining men's violence toward women using four content areas and 13 hypotheses. The content areas are: (a) macrosocietal explanation; (b) biological, neuroanatomical, hormonal explanation; (c) gender role socialization or gender role conflict explanation; and (d) intergender, relational explanation. Implications of the model for educational interventions, research, and training are explored.

Sexual Abuse of NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

1. A new subgroup of rape victims resides in nursing homes. 2. Nursing home victims can suffer both compounded and silent rape trauma. 3. Innovative therapies are needed for treating elder rape trauma.

Partner violence, social support, and distress among inner-city African American women

This study examined the role of social support in the partner violence-psychological distress relation in a sample of African American women seeking medical care at a large, urban hospital (n = 138). Results from bivariate correlational analyses revealed that partner violence was related to lower perceived social support and greater psychological distress, and lower social support was related to more distress. Furthermore, findings based on path analysis indicated that low levels of social support helped account for battered women's increased distress. Findings point to the need for service providers to screen for partner violence in nontraditional sites, such as hospital emergency rooms, and to address the role of social support resources in preventive interventions with African American battered women.

Victimization of women and its impact on assessment and treatment in the psychiatric emergency setting

An understanding of victimization is critical to the practice of emergency psychiatry. Victimization histories are disturbingly common among women presenting to the PES, particularly among frequent service users. The sequelae of victimization are both psychological and physical and often impair health and functioning across numerous domains. PTSD, BPD, and substance-use disorders are often seen among women with victimization histories, which can be particularly challenging for PES providers. Screening for trauma on PES presentation or history should not be overlooked in any person, including severely mentally ill, homeless, disabled, or elderly women. PES clinicians should remember to ask about victimization and pose questions privately in a direct and an open-ended format while conveying empathic validation. Clinical assessment of women with victimization histories in the PES should be guided by the principles of standard emergency psychiatry and be informed by an understanding of trauma. This includes a working knowledge of trauma dynamics, adherence to sound professional boundaries, and care not to retraumatize patients or re-enact perpetrator-victim dynamics. Voyeurism and regression should be avoided, particularly when eliciting trauma history. The PES should be a place for screening and acute intervention, not for conducting intensive trauma therapy. In the PES, the focus should remain on triage and treatment priorities, those of safety and stabilization, and carefully evaluating for substance use and psychosis. The PES ideally provides a "holding environment" that affords a balance of nurturing, limits, consistency, and communication. A basic knowledge of cognitive-behavioral interventions affording "crisis survival strategies," such as DBT, can be particularly useful to PES clinicians. Clinicians also need to monitor issues of countertransference and the potential to be dismissive to these women with complex, comorbid, and chronic problems and diseases. The role for the use of psychotropic medication in PES cohorts with victimization histories should target acute symptoms. Involving regular providers of these decisions is advised to coordinate care and minimize splitting and risks of polypharmacy. Although the SSRIs are effective in symptom management of disorders related to victimization, patients must be reminded of the side-effect profile, particularly sexual dysfunction and withdrawal and discontinuation syndromes.

Social, community, and preventive interventions

Psychology can and should be at the forefront of participation in social, community, and preventive interventions. This chapter focuses on selective topics under two general areas: violence as a public health problem and health promotion/competence promotion across the life span. Under violence prevention, discussion of violence against women, youth violence, and child maltreatment are the focal points. Under health and competence promotion, attention is paid to the prevention of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. We highlight a few significant theoretical and empirical contributions, especially from the field of community/prevention psychology. The chapter includes a brief overview of diversity issues, which are integral to a comprehensive discussion of these prevention efforts. We argue that the field should extend its role in social action while emphasizing the critical importance of rigorous research as a component of future interventions.

Partner abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder as risk factors for suicide attempts in a sample of low-income, inner-city women

This study examined partner abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as risk factors for suicidal behavior among women, and whether or not PTSD mediated the partner abuse-suicidal behavior association. Attempters (n = 119) were approximately three times more likely to be above clinical cut-points for physical partner abuse, nonphysical abuse, and PTSD than nonattempters (n = 85). Physical partner abuse, but not nonphysical partner abuse, was associated with an increased risk for PTSD. Further, PTSD mediated the link between physical partner abuse and suicidality, such that when PTSD was statistically controlled, the association between physical partner abuse and suicide attempt status was reduced to nonsignificance. Implications of findings for interventions for female victims of partner abuse, and women who make nonfatal suicide attempts are discussed.

A comparative study of Jewish and Arab battered women presenting in the emergency room of a general hospital

Domestic violence has been well documented in the past few years in both social work and medical journals. Our study seeks to determine the comparison between two cultures regarding this important issue. Five domains regarding demographic variables, components of battering, coping skills, social services offered and discharge objectives are discussed. Our findings suggest that the differences in several areas of battering in the two ethnic groups reflect to a large extent differences in the two cultures. Issues that warrant further research are child abuse and substance abuse in the Arab culture both on individual issues and in relationship to domestic violence.

Physical appearance and judgment of status as battered women

160 undergraduate students were given a set of 10 photographs or 10 videotaped recordings of women and informed that some of the women were victims of spousal abuse. Half of the participants were asked to select one individual who seemed most likely or least likely to be a battered woman. Participants then sorted another set of photographs or videos of 10 other battered and nonbattered women into the categories according to their guessed status. Analysis showed that certain women were consistently chosen as exemplars of battered or nonbattered women. Categorizations did not correspond with the women's actual status. No reliable differences in category selections or sortings were found between photographed and videotaped presentations of the battered and nonbattered women.

Building a feminist theoretical framework for screening of wife-battering: key issues to be addressed

The purpose of this paper is to identify key questions which must be addressed in developing a woman-centred, that is feminist, theoretical framework for screening for wife battering in health settings. The health sector has not had a positive history in addressing women's health holistically or in terms of the social context of women's lives. This is notable in relation to the issue of wife battering, where attention is recent but growing and responses have been varied. On the other hand, violence against women is one of the greatest threats to their health and, therefore, it can be argued that the health sector has a major role to play in ending this violence. With the recent efforts within the health sector, a great deal has been accomplished; we have some consensus on what is an appropriate protocol for and the roles of health care providers. We are also making progress in developing training programs. Several things are still lacking an understanding of the systemic barriers to promotion of and participation in screening; sufficient program evaluations; sufficient attention to issues of diversity among women; and, a theoretical framework for practice which links these together.

Violence against ex-wives: anger and advocacy

Researchers on violence against women have failed to reveal any studies that provide definitive explanations for the violent behaviors of certain males. However, violence against women has been known to occur as a result of unusually potent situational stressors, regardless of the male's propensity toward violence. Some of these situational stressors occur during the process of marital separation and divorce, particularly in relation to disputes over child custody, support, and access. In this paper I report on a second-level analysis of a set of studies in Australia aimed at examining the experience of separating parents who did not gain custody of their children. One of the dominant themes that emerged in the initial analysis from the male cohort was the real or vicarious violence that pervaded the men's interactions with their ex-spouses. These men, from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and age groups, freely discussed episodes in which they had either planned, executed, or fantasized about violence against their spouses in retaliation for real or perceived injustices related to child custody, support, and/or access. In many cases, these thoughts and actions were reinforced by the encouragement of other males. To a lesser extent, women also reported violent inclinations induced by the situation. The implications for those advocating for women and families are clear. There is a need to understand the experience of marital separation from the perspective of both spouses as a basis for family counseling. We must also heighten awareness of the need to educate young people away from an "ownership" model of marriage and relationships, which is counterproductive to the personal development of both partners. Equally important is the need for all health professionals to advocate for changes that would help to correct injustices in the family court system, many of which are related to gender issues.

The reliability and validity of empirically scaled measures of psychological/verbal control and physical/sexual abuse: relationship between current negative mood and a history of abuse independent of other negative life events

A history of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, and circumscribed negative life events are precursors of current psychosomatic symptomatology. However, it is not known whether a history of abuse predicts current symptomatology, independent of other negative life events. We developed three new abuse scales: Psychological/Verbal; Control; and Physical/Sexual, which emerged when survey evidence of a random sample of the general public (N = 195) was factor analyzed. Test-retest reliabilities conducted on university students (N = 62) were moderate to high: Psychological/Verbal (r = 0.86); Control (r = 0.76); Physical/Sexual (r = 0.74); and Negative Life Events (r = 0.84). A Negative Life Event scale was developed to measure the cumulative effects of events (over the lifespan). A total score was calculated by summing event scores, weighted in proportion to 11 independent judges' ratings of distress for later use (Kendall's W; chi 2 = 183.67, df = 67, p < 0.0001). Thirteen criterion measures of current symptomatology were administered to a subsample of the original sample (N = 92), and collapsed into one factor for use as the criterion in a regression analysis; results showed that, independent of negative life events and respondent demographics, the Psychological/Verbal and Control Abuse Scales predicted current negative mood and psychosomatic complaints, and the association between current symptomatology and the Physical/Sexual Abuse Scale approached, but did not achieve, statistical significance (t = 1.99, df = 71, p < .0501). The present study demonstrates that the three abuse scales may be powerful predictors of current symptomatology, and that they have the potential for further investigating a wider range of current medical, physiological, and psychological problems.