Physical abuse, especially severe, chronic abuse, is a significant source of stress for women who experience it. A combination of external and internal factors can inhibit women from ending abuse in an intimate relationship. Counseling can be useful in addressing internal barriers. An ecological model of intervention is presented based on the Lazarus and Folkman (1984) conceptualization of stress and coping. The model also recognizes the stages abused women may experience in their appraisal of the abuse experience. The proposed model includes attention to an orientation to practice with this client group, engagement in treatment, assessment, intervention strategies, and evaluation of effectiveness.
LA - SN - 0197-6664 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/585127 ID - ref1 ER -