Coping and violence exposure as predictors of psychological functioning in domestic violence survivors.
This study examines the differential effects of adult and childhood physical and psychological abuse, abuse-specific coping, and psychological adjustment in battered women seeking emergency shelter. Multivariate regression analyses confirmed the devastating impact of psychological abuse (childhood and concurrent) on battered women's adjustment. The results corroborated prior research suggesting a cumulative vulnerability to psychological victimization in a substantial proportion of residents. Unexpectedly, frequency of physical violence was unrelated to women's distress. The study argues that modes of coping traditionally considered adaptive (e.g., engaged, proactive) may be unsafe for battered women and children. The multifaceted nature of survivors' coping choices is discussed.
Lewis
Carla S
CS
Project Hospitality.
Griffing
Sascha
S
Chu
Melissa
M
Jospitre
Tania
T
Sage
Robert E
RE
Madry
Lorraine
L
Primm
Beny J
BJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009042:Motivation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population; D016387:Women's Health