NCJ Number
58706
Editor(s)
J W HANKS
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
DRAWING FROM INTERVIEWS, AND RESEARCH WITH 50 BATTERED WOMEN, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE BACKGROUNDS OF ABUSED WOMEN AND THEIR MARITAL SITUATIONS AND EXPLORES SPECIFIC CASES OF ABUSE.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH WHAT CONSTITUTES ABUSE OFTEN DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERCEPTION, CERTAIN THEMES DO RECUR ON RESEARCH TESTS AND INTERVIEWS. GENERALLY, ABUSED WOMEN COME FROM EMOTIONALLY RESTRICTIVE FAMILIES; TEND TO BE LONELY WITHDRAWN, AND LACKING IN SELF-ESTEEM; WERE NOT ABUSED PRIOR TO MARRIAGE BUT MARRIED MEN WHO HAD WITNESSED OR EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND WHO WERE EXCESSIVELY JEALOUS. THEY HAVE NOT HAD MANY IN-DEPTH RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN PRIOR TO MARRYING THE ABUSIVE SPOUSE; ARE NOT SEXUALLY SATISFIED BY THE HUSBAND; AND DO NOT HAVE A LARGE SUPPORT SYSTEM OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. A SPECIFIC CASE OF MARITAL ABUSE WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THESE THEMES IS PROVIDED. SEVERAL FACTORS WHICH MOTIVATE WOMEN TO REMAIN IN ABUSIVE SITUATIONS INCLUDE THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF A LOWERED LIVING STANDARD THAT WOULD RESULT FROM A SEPARATION, REDEEMING FEATURES OF THE MARRIAGE, AND THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH BEING ALONE. EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION REQUIRES AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ATTITUDES AND CONCERNS BATTERED WOMEN BRING WITH THEM WHEN THEY SEEK HELP. MOST WOMEN VIEW PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AS A SIGN OF MARITAL FAILURE AND WILL CLING TO, OR DENY, AN ABUSIVE SITUATION RATHER THAN DECIDE WHETHER TO REMAIN OR LEAVE. COUNSELORS MAY HANDLE THIS SITUATION BY FOCUSING ON SOME OTHER ASPECT OF THE SITUATION TO DIMINISH THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE ON CLIENT FUNCTIONING. OTHER PROBLEMS PRESENTED TO THE SOCIAL WORKER INVOLVE EMOTIONAL EMPTINESS, DENIAL, ISOLATION, ANGER, DEPRESSION, PASSIVITY, AND FRUSTRATION. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)