NCJ Number
46162
Journal
Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 460-470
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MARITAL VIOLENCE IS STUDIED, ALONG WITH CASE IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF BATTERED WIVES ON THE BASIS OF HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND FAMILY INFORMATION.
Abstract
THIS STUDY WAS PRECIPITATED BY THE REFERRAL DURING A 12-MONTH PERIOD OF 60 VICTIMS OF MARITAL VIOLENCE (HALF OF ALL WOMEN REFERRED) TO A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION. MOST OF THESE WOMEN WERE IN THE 20-40 AGE GROUP; 40 OF THE VICTIMS WERE BLACK. THEIR LIVES WERE CHARACTERIZED BY EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL DEPRIVATION AS WELL AS A HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY-LEVEL INCOME. THEIR FAMILY HISTORIES SHOW VIOLENCE, ALCOHOLISM, AND ABUSE ON THE PART OF THEIR PARENTS, AND SUICIDES WERE COMMON. THE MOST PROBABLE REASON FOR THESE ABUSES IS JEALOUSY ON THE HUSBAND'S PART. CHILD ABUSE TOOK PLACE IN ONE-THIRD OF THE FAMILIES. ALL OF THE WOMEN IN THIS STUDY SHOWED PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS RECURRENT NIGHTMARES, VIOLENT TENDENCIES, AND STRESS, AS WELL AS HEALTH PROBLEMS AGGRAVATED BY THE ASSAULTS. THEORETICALLY, THE TREATMENT SHOULD BE REMOVAL FROM THE MARITAL ABUSE SITUATION, BUT IN MANY CASES, THE HUSBAND IS NOT EVEN AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. SINCE THIS TREATMENT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, THE MAIN CONCERNS FOR THERAPY ARE THE WOMAN'S IMPAIRED SELF-ESTEEM, EMOTIONAL ISOLATION, AND MISTRUST. SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE NATURE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BEFORE THERAPY BEGINS: THE VICTIM RATIONALIZES AND JUSTIFIES THE VIOLENCE, FEELS THAT IT IS CONTROLLABLE THROUGH 'GOOD BEHAVIOR,' AND PERCEIVES IT AS A NORM. WHEN THE WIFE IS MADE TO REALIZE THAT SUCH VIOLENCE IS INAPPROPRIATE SHE THEN CONTINUES TO BELIEVE THAT (1) SHE LOVES HER HUSBAND, (2) SHE CAN'T SURVIVE WITHOUT HIM, (3) SHE IS STAYING FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN, AND (4) HE WILL CHANGE. THE INITIAL RESULTS OF THE THERAPY ARE IN THE FORM OF BEHAVIOR CHANGES, E.G., A MORE ACTIVE POSITION, JOB RETENTION, SCHOOL, AND FINALLY THE TERMINATION OF THE MARRIAGE. THE WOMAN IS INSTRUCTED ON WHERE TO GO FOR LEGAL HELP AND ALSO WHERE TO REPORT CONTINUED ACTS OF VIOLENCE. IN CONCLUSION, THE AUTHOR PRESENTS A CHECKLIST FOR USE IN DETERMING CASES OF WIFE-BATTERING. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (BAC)