Asserts that courtship and marital violence represents forms of the same phenomenon and should be examined as relationship violence. Presents a model of relationship violence based on three premises concerning courtship and marital violence. Discusses advantages and implications of a model of relationship violence for family professionals.…

This paper concerns different aspects of four dilemmas of objectivity and bias facing expert witnesses in trials involving violence between intimates: (1) the urge to be correct, clever, and consistent; (2) the tension between being an advocate and being an educator in the courtroom; (3) the influence of experts' life experiences and presumed…

A three-fold exploratory study was conducted to examine the current literature regarding the effects of spousal abuse on observing children, evaluate children's programs within battered women's shelters, and propose a model children's program designed to meet children's needs. Based on the literature and the children's programs currently existing,…

The diverse research on the patterns and characteristics of violent behavior in the United States is assessed by a panel of experts in this monograph. The monograph describes what is known about certain types of violence, details insights into risk factors for violence in individuals and situations, and recommends new research efforts with short-…

Presents integrated theory which identifies attributes of intimate life assumed to reduce deterrent efficacy of arrest and thus increase probability of violence in marriage and marriagelike relationships. Research findings suggest that increased privacy, inequality, and legitimation of violence are associated with reduction in perceived arrest…

In addition to emotional, physical, and economic issues, battered women from fundamentalist churches have religious issues that need to be addressed. Clergy may not help because of their legalistic attitudes about marriage and sex roles. Explains teachings of fundamentalist churches, explores how they perpetuate violent relationships, and offers…

Problems related to family violence are complex and multi-faceted and involve large numbers of people in this country. A number of types of violence in families are identified initially; however, the manual focuses on the concerns of battered women, or interspousal abuse. Information focuses on: (1) the nature, causes and effects of family…

Examines why men have been omitted from physical child abuse research. Focuses on motivational processes and social structures that differentiate men's physical child abuse from women's. Argues that widespread gender imbalances in power, men's lack of role models and rewards for nurturant activity, and their socialization to violence bear direct…

Notes that systemic or interactional counseling approaches are based on alternative view of causality and symptomatic behavior, resulting in treatment, ethical, and legal challenges to counselor. Uses spouse abuse as example to review basic components of system approaches, identify potential problems inherent in their implementation, and offer…

The American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force on Violence and the Family was convened to bring psychological research and clinical experience to bear on the problem of family violence and to make recommendations for solutions. This report of the Task Force highlights the need for a systematic, multi-faceted, multidisciplinary, and…

Draws analogy between Muhammad Ali's boxing technique of "rope-a-dope" and behavioral patterns frequently occurring in couple conflicts. Presents basics of Ali's technique as similar to fighting patterns of many couples. Suggests that this behavior may lead to physical violence. Describes use of analogy in working with couples. Presents strategies…

Notes that battered women in rural America are a neglected population. Addresses the plight of these women and points to the unique sociological factors and religious beliefs that make them a difficult group to reach. Presents implications for counselor education programing. (Author)

Presents case report of two children who observed their mother being murdered by their father. Notes that theories of psychosocial development and social learning guided assessment and intervention phases. Delineates behavioral and expressive therapeutic treatment strategies that helped children work through resultant anxiety and underlying grief.…

Notes growing interest in children with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suspicion that rise in family violence, violence in schools, and other stressors may lead to characteristic PTSD symptoms of reexperiencing trauma, psychological numbing, and increased states of arousal. Examines characteristics of childhood PTSD and its causes.…

Presents a family systems perspective on wife battering and treatment implications for mental health counselors. Focuses on the processes and interrelatedness between events and people in a battering relationship. Discusses some of salient literature on wife battering from an individual perspective and suggests that future models and theories…