Examining the Correlates of Engagement and Disengagement Coping Among Help-Seeking Battered Women

• NCJ Number: 218050
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: 2007 Pages: 3-17
• Author(s): Casey T. Taft Ph.D.; Patricia A. Resick Ph.D.; Jillian Panuzio B.A.; Dawne S. Vogt Ph.D.; Mindy B. Mechanic Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH55542
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study identified factors related to help-seeking battered women's (n=388) coping strategies of engagement and disengagement, including abuse-related factors, socioeconomic and social resources, and childhood trauma variables.

Abstract

The findings showed significant associations between abuse-related factors, social coping resources, childhood trauma variables, and coping strategies of engagement and disengagement. Abuse frequency was more strongly linked to disengagement coping defined as avoidance or tension reduction through escapist thoughts and behavior. Social coping resources, including tangible support and appraisals of social support and belonging, were associated with higher engagement coping, defined as taking active steps to manage and prevent the abuse. A positive association was found between interparental domestic violence in childhood and disengagement coping. Negative associations were found between both childhood physical and sexual abuse and engagement coping. The findings indicate that the coping strategies adapted by battered women are related to multiple factors and require further research. The 388 help-seeking women were recruited from battered women's shelters and nonresidential community agencies serving battered women. Selection criteria were being involved with a male abuser for 3 months or longer during the previous year, experiencing the most recent episode of physical assault more than 2 weeks but less than 6 months before the study, and reporting at least two severe or four minor acts of physical assault on the Conflict Tactics Scale. Various instruments were used to measure intimate partner physical assault and sexual aggression, psychological aggression, and characteristics of the abusive relationship. Also measured were peritraumatic dissociation, socioeconomic resources, perceived social support, childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, interparental domestic violence, and coping strategies. 4 tables and 64 references