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,…

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…

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…

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…

Presents a group treatment model using Thought-Feeling-Action (TFA) Systems, an offense- and offender-specific group treatment for abusers. Describes use of TFA Systems in group of court-referred male spouse-abusers. Reviews evolution of TFA Systems, then focuses on TFA Systems treatment of spouse abusers. Notes that system can be adapted to other…

Discusses psycholegal issues involved in intraspousal and interfamily law suits. Delineates six categories of lawsuits. Suggests that conflicts in families are already fairly extreme when adult children sue parents and that family lawsuits often make rifts irreparable. (Author/CM)

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.…

Presents a theoretical construct (prostrate-detonate-dominate-ingratiate) to explain the development and maintenance of wife-battering. Ties the construct to research evidence and, along with clinical observations, uses it to develop a rationale for a type of therapy deemed effective with wife-batters: group marital Relationship Enhancement.…

Discusses why marriage typically has positive effects on well-being. View presented is compatible with, and provides interpretation of, literature on family violence. Considers whether particularly competent individuals tend to be selected into marriage, thereby accounting for relationship between marital status and well-being. Examines evidence…

Challenges stereotypes of men as perpetrators of violence and women as their victims. Reviews statistics and research in violent crime, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. Notes that viewing how men are victimized allows for more comprehensive understanding of victimization of men and women. Suggests strategies to aid in clinical recognition and…