Domestic Violence Events: updated as of 05/04/2012
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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.