NCJ Number
206297
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2004 Pages: 25-36
Date Published
February 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study assessed coping, perceived control, dysphoria (abnormal feelings of anxiety), hopelessness, and self-esteem in a sample of 100 women following physical abuse from an intimate partner.
Abstract
Participants were administered the Demographic and Abuse Severity Questionnaire; the Conflict Tactics Scale; the Beck Depression Inventory; the Hopelessness Scale; the Control, Attributions, and Expectations Questionnaire; the COPE-B; and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. The focus of the analysis was on the influence of perceived control and ineffective coping on dysphoria, hopelessness, and self-esteem, based in the logic of the hopelessness theory of depression. In confirming previous studies of the emotional well-being of victims following battering, participants reported moderate to severe levels of dysphoria and low self-esteem following battering. Overall, they reported low perceived control over current abuse but high expectations for control over future episodes of abuse. According to the logic of hopelessness theory, low perceived control over current abuse and low expectations for control over future abuse should be associated with greater risk for dysphoria; however, this study found that high perceived control for current abuse was associated with increased dysphoria. Thus, participants who showed high perceived control over current abuse may have developed more dysphoria as they attempted to exert control over an uncontrollable abusive situation. The finding that high expectations for control were associated with low levels of hopelessness, however, was consistent with hopelessness theory. According to this theory, individuals who expect to control important life outcomes will not develop a more generalized expectation of hopelessness. Participants with high expectations for control over future abuse may not have believed that abuse was likely to happen to them again. This belief may have enabled them to develop a more hopeful outlook. Almost one-third of the sample reported the use of ineffective coping strategies, particularly self-blame. Use of these strategies was associated with increased levels of dysphoria and hopelessness and lower levels of self-esteem. After controlling for abuse severity and low self-esteem, self-blame was the only significant contributor to dysphoria among the ineffective coping strategies. Thus, full remedying of depressive symptoms may not occur unless the use of self-blame as a coping strategy is reduced. Interventions with abused women designed to lessen dysphoria and hopelessness should address perceived control and coping. Study limitations are discussed. 5 tables and 69 references