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Coping with domestic
violence: Clinical Implications for trait versus situational
determinants.
Lewis, C.S., Chu, M., Griffing, S., Sage, R.E., Jospitre,
T., Madry, L., & Primm, B.J.
Presented at the American Psychological Association Conference
in Toronto, Canada
(August 2003).
This study investigates coping and psychological adjustment
in female domestic violence survivors facing oppressive,
asymmetrical, traumatic conditions, in which purportedly
adaptive-problem-focused, engaged modes of coping may
be life-threatening. 70 women entering domestic violence
facilities were interviewed about the ways in which they
coped with their batterer, the frequency of violence and
restriction they suffered, and their current psychological
adjustment. Although depressive symptoms were elevated
for the population in general, an inverse curvilinear
dynamic emerged showing that means peaked significantly
for survivors at mid-range levels then declined as violence
escalated. Higher levels of violence were associated with
higher use of avoidant coping strategies suggesting that
for inner city battered women disengaged modes of coping
may be self-preservative/adaptive and not indicative of
self-esteem deficits or trait-based determinants. Clinical
implications for reinforcing flexible, situation-specific
modes of coping are discussed.
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