Citation

Wortham TT. J. Emotion. Behav. Probl. 2014; 23(2): 58-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Compassion Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Intimate partner violence includes physical, emotional, or sexual maltreatment from an intimate partner that may include name-calling, hitting, controlling behaviors, use of weapons, rape, intimidation, and a plethora of other physical and emotional tactics (Kress, Protivnak, & Sadlak, 2008; United States Department of Justice, 2013). Such acts can have severe consequences such as premature deaths, increased homicide rates, psychological trauma, and psychological and physiological health problems (ABA, 2010; Fantuzzo & Fusco, 2007; Lichtenstein & Johnson, 2009; Paranjape & Kaslow, 2010). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a devastating social epidemic and a major public health threat (Catalano, Smith, Snyder, & Rand, 2009; Daugherty & Houry, 2008). This abuse threatens the well-being of countless individuals across all ethnic groups and socio-economic levels and occurs disproportionately in the African American community (Bent-Goodley, 2005; Williams, Oliver, & Pope, 2008). A large body of research confirms the severity of the IPV problem in the United States and in the African American community in particular. However, resilience is known to enable survivors and children to overcome the negative outcomes of this social ill (Howell, Graham-Bermann, Czyz, & Lilly, 2010; van den Bosse & McGinn, 2009; Williams, Oliver, & Pope, 2008; Wortham, 2013). In light of this knowledge, this article highlights the importance of recognition, promotion, and activation of resilience as strategies for strengthening families affected by IPV.

Language: en