NCJ Number
127384
Editor(s)
R T Ammerman,
M Hersen
Date Published
1991
Length
419 pages
Annotation
This collection of domestic violence case studies highlights the importance of medical, legal, social, and family issues in such violence and the need to psychologically assess and treat both victims and perpetrators.
Abstract
Relatively common conditions associated with family violence include substance abuse, poverty, unemployment, and stress. Medical personnel are the first line in identifying and treating family violence. Legal and criminal justice personnel are also involved in family violence at several levels. Recent court decisions stipulate that clinicians report suspected abuse and notify potential victims of harmful threats made by clients. Research and the case studies show that coercive family processes, marital distress, and maladaptive parent-child interaction have repeatedly been documented in child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, and wife battering. The purposes of psychopathological assessment are to screen for severe forms of psychological disorders and to identify targets for treatment. The primary goal of treatment is to stop and prevent future maltreatment; the secondary goal is to remediate individual and family dysfunction. The case studies specifically examine social and ecological issues in violence toward children, the ecology of domestic aggression toward adult victims, legal and medical issues in violence toward children and adults, child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, and incest. The case studies also cover ritual abuse, maltreatment of handicapped children, child witnesses of family violence, psychological and emotional abuse of children, wife battering, marital rape, elder abuse, and domestic homicide. 867 references, 6 tables, 4 figures, 1 photograph, and an index