The Coping Window: a contextual understanding of the methods women use to cope with battering.
This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the coping strategies used by women who are battered, drawing from the existing literature and qualitative interviews with 10 women seeking services in shelters for women who have been battered. This conceptual framework is needed to reflect the unique complexity of the nature of the chronic and acute stressors associated with battering. The results of the data analyses were integrated with the existing literature to form a model, The Coping Window. This model includes an external frame of contextual influences, as well as a Focus Axis (including emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies) and a Resource Axis (including intrapersonal and interpersonal coping strategies). The Coping Window model could be used in individual or group counseling and educational programs, and additional research is needed to refine this model.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Center for Women's Health and Wellness, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA. phsmith@uncg.edu
Paige Hall
PH
Smith
Christine E
CE
Murray
Ann L
AL
Coker
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health