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Abstract
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Family violence is responsible for a significant proportion of homicides, a major cause of premature deaths in African-Americans. This article reviews the prevalence of family violence and explores associated risk factors. Principles and tips of treatment, along with a cognitive framework to guide the actual therapy, are outlined. Finally, issues of preventing family violence are discussed.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this article by Bell and Chance-Hill was to describe the prevalence of family violence and to identify associated risk factors.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors utilized a non experimental design to review studies on domestic violence and pulled from personal experiences in the field to provide tips for treatment. They also review several warning signs that can prompt effective, preventive measures. Violence was defined by the authors as behavior that, if outside the family, would call for police intervention.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
Several categories of surveys revealed a broad range of findings including married women who reported spouse abuse in divorce applications (16.7% to 66%, depending on the survey), clinical surveys which indicated conjugal abuse (15.6% to 41%), and emergency room surveys for women that report injuries resulting from battering (3.4% to 21%). One study in Atlanta revealed that in 1972, 31% of the 255 homicides were domestic. Finally, since the beginning of the 20th century, non-white age-adjusted homicide rates were 5-10 times higher than for any other group, with a significant proportion from domestic violence. These figures, although they covered broad ranges, suggested a need for careful delineation of risk factors in order for health professionals to identify treatment plans as well as prevention programs. The authors delineate five ares which contribute to risk, provide tips for addressing these risks, and outline six stages of therapy.
The five areas which contribute to risk are: 1) Physiologic/medical factor including mental retardation, dementia, hyper-irritability, hyperactivity and restlessness. 2) Psychologic factors including low self concept, perception of failure, low frustration tolerance and impulsivity. 3) Current interpersonal or family relationships factors including hostile dependency, isolation, distorted interpersonal attachments, and unequal distribution of power. 4) Family origin factors including violence in the early home environment, alcoholism and sociopathy. 5) Situational factors (social or cultural) including poverty, presence of firearms, social isolation, social and structural stress, and unstable resources. The tips provided by the authors for addressing these five risk factors include interrupting the cycles of violence, reducing stress in the family, providing referrals to other services, and approaching family violence through a systems perspective while remaining sensitive to individual psychiatri diagnoses. The actual therapy falls into six stages: 1) Crisis intervention (usually conducted by the police). 2) Initial assessment (gathering basic information, assessing past and present stress and coping techniques, identifyin the real family needs necessary to reduce stress). 3) Initial treatment (a simple but manageable contract to stop violence). 4) Complete evaluation (including medical history and information from sources outside the family). 5) Brief therapy (short term goals, tasks for restoring normal functioning, replacing dependency with mutual respect, and new techniques for the expression of anger). 6) Long term therapy (couples groups, multi-family groups, and ongoing therapy that deals with the changing psychologic and interpersonal dynamics.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
Because they prevent attitudes and values that promote family violence, public health initiatives should be implemented with greater magnitude. By curbing the availability of guns, by reducing poverty, by increasing employment rates, and adding to public health care, the climate which leads to family violence can be addressed.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
N1 - Call Number: F-544, AB-544
KW - Adult Female
KW - Adult Victim
KW - Female Victim
KW - Cohabitation Abuse Effects
KW - Cohabitation Abuse Causes
KW - Cohabitation Abuse Risk Factors
KW - Cohabitation Abuse Victim
KW - Spouse Abuse Risk Factors
KW - Spouse Abuse Causes
KW - Spouse Abuse Effects
KW - Spouse Abuse Victim
KW - Domestic Violence Causes
KW - Domestic Violence Effects
KW - Domestic Violence Risk Factors
KW - Domestic Violence Victim
KW - Domestic Violence Treatment
KW - Spouse Abuse Treatment
KW - Cohabitation Abuse Treatment
KW - Victim Treatment
KW - Treatment Recommendations
KW - Partner Violence
KW - Violence Against Women
Language: en |