Coping Processes and Social Networks - A Comparison of Battered and Ex-Battered Women

• NCJ Number: 102407
• Author(s): D E Griffin
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 182 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. University of Nevada, Reno - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

This study assessed differences between battered and ex-battered women in the coping processes they used to deal with their abuse and analyzed differences in the composition of their social networks.

Abstract

Subjects were 31 battered women (9 currently living with their abusers and 22 living in a shelter for less than 1 month) and 31 ex-battered women, who had been out of the abusive relationship for a minimum of 3 months. Subjects completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Ways of Coping questionnaire, and a social network questionnaire. The two groups did not differ significantly in their use of coping strategies or in their appraisals of the battering situation. Regarding social network variables, the ex-battered women identified a significantly greater number of network members as sources of interpersonal conflict. The groups did not differ significantly on other social network variables. A weak but significant relationship existed between social network size and four of the coping subscales: mixed coping, minimizes threat, self-blame, and seeks emotional support. Apparently, managing emotional distress and problemsolving were important for both groups. Ex-battered women's higher number of relational conflicts in their social networks probably resulted from increased contact with and dependence on network members after leaving the abusive relationship. Implications for future research are discussed. 11 tables, appended study instruments, and 94 references.