Showing papers in "Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma in 2007"
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of community psychology works on resilience in trauma survivors is presented, focusing on five premises of an ecological understanding of resilience in survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.
Abstract: The ecological perspective of community psychology offers needed understanding of diverse sources and expressions of resilience among trauma survivors. Investigations by community psychologists into the nature of wellness-enhancing interventions and empowering social change can inform trauma-focused interventions at individual, community, and societal levels. Here, works by selected community psychologists are reviewed. The ecological view of trauma, recovery, and resilience guiding work at the Victims of Violence (VOV) Program, the range and reach of VOV's clinical and community interventions, and elements of its trauma recovery and resiliency research project illustrate the implications and relevance of these works. Five premises of an ecological understanding of resilience in trauma survivors are discussed.
182 citations
TL;DR: The authors explores the concept of resilience as a multidetermined phenomenon, and considers the implications of this perspective for clinical research and intervention with ethnic minorities, and proposes a multicultural understanding of trauma and resilience as experienced in the lives of individuals from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.
Abstract: This paper offers a multicultural understanding of trauma and resilience as experienced in the lives of individuals from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. The research and clinical literature on resilience has focused largely if not exclusively on individual personality traits and coping styles, and has neglected to explore all possible sources and expressions of resilience in individuals and groups. For many ethnic minorities, traditional notions of resilience, shaped largely by middle class European and North American values, may not capture culturally more familiar modes of positive adaptation to adverse and traumatic experience. This paper explores the concept of resilience as a multidetermined phenomenon, and considers the implications of this perspective for clinical research and intervention with ethnic minorities.
155 citations
TL;DR: This paper described some of the main techniques that pimps use to recruit children and women into the trade, including the pretense of love, threats of indebtedness, drug addiction, manipulation, and violence.
Abstract: Much of the research on prostitution to date has focused on the risks of working on the streets. However, no research has described the recruitment process for street prostitution. This exploratory study describes some of the main techniques that pimps use to recruit children and women into the trade, including the pretense of love, threats of indebtedness, drug addiction, manipulation, and violence. In addition, social situations that leave women feeling that they have few alternatives to working on the streets are described.
122 citations
TL;DR: A sample of 174 college students involved in heterosexual dating relationships was studied to investigate the role of psychological distress in mediating links between child maltreatment (CM) history and current couple functioning as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A sample of 174 college students involved in heterosexual dating relationships was studied to investigate the role of psychological distress in mediating links between child maltreatment (CM) history and current couple functioning. Females, but not males, with a history of CM reported greater levels of psychological and relationship difficulties than did non-maltreated women. Psychological distress among females was also found to mediate associations between abuse history and various aspects of couple functioning including intimacy, sexuality, and conflict resolution. No such relationships were found for males. The implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.
86 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of what is known about unacknowledged rape and discuss potential theories for understanding the phenomenon, including script theory, which posits that victims do not acknowledge their rape experience because it does not match their event-related ideas about rape.
Abstract: Research suggests that over half of the women who have experienced forced, unwanted sex do not label this experience as rape. Given this strikingly high prevalence, a better understanding of why victims do not acknowledge rape as well as the implications for the victim of not acknowledging rape seems imperative. The present article reviews what is known about unacknowledged rape and discusses potential theories for understanding the phenomenon, including script theory, which posits that victims do not acknowledge their rape experience because it does not match their event-related ideas about rape. The potential impact of not acknowledging rape on the recovery process and implications of this research for the clinician are also discussed, and directions for future research are proposed.
78 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the effects of perceived and received social support on the initial levels of distress, coping strategy and subsequent well-being of the victims of violent and non-violent crime.
Abstract: Assessment of perceived social support and received social support available to victims of violent and non-violent crime is considered an integral function of the ensuing well-being for those victims. This study examines the effects of perceived and received social support on the initial levels of distress, coping strategy and subsequent well-being. A cross-sectional survey collected self-report data from personal interviews with 175 victims of crime. Findings indicate a direct relationship between levels of perceived social support and anger. A direct relationship was also found between received social support and anxiety. There was an inverse relationship between social support and emotion-focused coping and avoidance-oriented coping and a significant positive relationship between social support and problem-focused coping.
70 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that BIP have become more independent of parent agencies and two-thirds are completely self-supporting from client fees.
Abstract: This national survey reports the current state of batterer intervention programs (BIP) and the provision of batterer intervention services. BIP directors (N= 150) provide data regarding program structure, service characteristics, referral processes, client characteristics, evaluation activities, and recidivism. Results indicate that BIP have become more independent of parent agencies and two-thirds are completely self-supporting from client fees. Current development of specific treatment tracks and the screening of clients for these tracks are judged to be inadequate. This survey is believed to be the largest to date and the first on a national scale in 20 years. Recommendation is made for national coordination of BIP efforts.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider resilience as a multiplicity of psychological characteristics that are shaped by the ecological interplay of relational, social, and cultural contexts, and suggest how psychotherapy with trauma survivors can mobilize the resilient capacities of trauma survivors and function as a reparative context.
Abstract: This article considers resilience as a multiplicity of psychological characteristics that are shaped by the ecological interplay of relational, social, and cultural contexts Bronfenbrenner's (1979) person-process-context model of human development is examined in terms of its implications for research and for both micro- and macro-level interventions Attention is given to “the first context” and to the role of early attachment in the cultivation of resilient functioning Attachment theory and research are reviewed Themes are extracted from this research to suggest how psychotherapy with trauma survivors can mobilize the resilient capacities of trauma survivors and function as a reparative context Implications of an ecological perspective and attachment theory and research for national and community-level interventions are considered
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on expressions of resilience in a sample of 30 women from El Salvador and Guatemala who survived multiple types of violence, including war trauma, before taking refuge in the US.
Abstract: This article focuses on expressions of resilience in a sample of 30 women from El Salvador and Guatemala who survived multiple types of violence, including war trauma, before taking refuge in the US. Traumatic impact, recovery, and resilience were assessed using the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resilience Interview (MTRR-I) and rating scale, MTRR-99. Exposure to violence was assessed by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the MTRR-I. The study established that the women had suffered multiple and extreme forms of violence prior to and en route to the United States and yet were highly resilient on multiple MTRR domains when compared with a US sample. Implications for future research for assessment of trauma exposure and resilience among war-afflicted populations are discussed.
39 citations
TL;DR: Group therapy can counter the isolating effects of interpersonal trauma and enable survivors to connect with sources of resilience within themselves and others as discussed by the authors, by providing an alternative relational experience in which the survivor and her safety are valued, groups empower members to establish selfaffirming and supportive relationships in their outside lives.
Abstract: Group therapy counteracts the isolating effects of interpersonal trauma and enables survivors to connect with sources of resilience within themselves and others. By providing an alternative relational experience in which the survivor and her safety are valued, groups empower members to establish self-affirming and supportive relationships in their outside lives. The current paper reviews the psychological impact of chronic interpersonal violence and the relevant literature regarding group therapy for trauma survivors. We describe an approach to group treatment for complexly traumatized patients developed at the Victims of Violence Program, and through a clinical vignette, illustrate some of the ways in which group therapy can expand the relational world of survivors.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an ecological perspective is used to organize the theoretical model of child abuse and adolescent parenting, and the components of this model are supported by existing research on child abuse.
Abstract: Adolescent parents are commonly identified as an at-risk group in the child abuse literature. However, theoretical models specific to the area of child abuse and adolescent parenting are not well developed. This essay reviews established theories on child abuse, abusive parenting, and adolescent parenting to synthesize a proposed child abuse and adolescent parenting model. An ecological perspective is used to organize the theoretical model. The components of this model are supported by existing research on child abuse and adolescent parenting. The new synthesized model on child abuse and adolescent parenting should be viewed as an informed way to organize and conduct future research in this area. Further theory development on child abuse and adolescent parenting should be encouraged.
TL;DR: In this paper, symptoms of eating disorders were examined in relation to child sexual (CSA), physical (CPA), and emotional abuse (CEA), and adult rape among 301 college women.
Abstract: Using self-report questionnaires, symptoms of eating disorders were examined in relation to child sexual (CSA), physical (CPA), and emotional abuse (CEA), and adult rape among 301 college women. CPA and adult rape were associated with fear of fatness and bulimic behavior. CEA, family cohesion and expressiveness, and adult rape were related to difficulties recognizing emotional states and satiety. Individuals who reported multiple forms of child abuse or who were revictimized exhibited the highest levels of symptoms. Revictimized women were more likely to report clinical levels of symptoms compared with individuals reporting adult rape without child abuse or child abuse without adult rape. Findings support the assumption that negative experiences in addition to CSA, such as adult rape and other forms of child abuse, influence eating pathology, and suggest a cumulative impact of abuse.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present real life examples of cases where victims were arrested, and why these arrests occurred, and suggest suggestions on how to minimize these illegal arrests, and also include suggestions on ways to minimize the illegal arrests.
Abstract: After all the positive changes in the criminal justice system over the last ten to fifteen years concerning the response to incidents of domestic violence, there remains the problem of battered women who are arrested as perpetrators of domestic violence. The reasons for these arrests are complex and varied. They range from the patriarchal structure of criminal justice agencies, to the staffing of these agencies, and finally to the inappropriate and inadequate training of police officers. This article includes real life examples of cases where victims were arrested, and why these arrests occurred. It also includes suggestions on how to minimize these illegal arrests.
TL;DR: In this paper, a case of a biracial woman coping with a history of traumatic experience, working in the context of weekly individual psychotherapy is presented, conceptualized from a culturally informed, ecological perspective that considers the relevance of individual, interpersonal and cultural factors in determining the trajectory of trauma recovery.
Abstract: The decision to seek professional help and the efficacy of such help are influenced by several factors, including individual and cultural definitions of trauma, access to services, and social support. This paper is focused on psychotherapy as one avenue of recovery for trauma survivors. A case of a biracial woman coping with a history of traumatic experience, working in the context of weekly individual psychotherapy is presented. The case is conceptualized from a culturally informed, ecological perspective that considers the relevance of individual, interpersonal, and cultural factors in determining the trajectory of trauma recovery. The psychotherapeutic relationship is seen as a significant force in helping the client to mobilize and make use of her resilient capacities.
TL;DR: A review of the recent research suggests that arrests of women have increased by 25-35%, while the most liberal estimate is that only 1-7% of all IPV arrests are of actual female primary batterers, suggesting that victim arrests are on the rise.
Abstract: SUMMARY Efforts by women's rights activists, concomitant with results of research studies and court cases, have prompted legal reforms in public policy that include recently implemented mandatory arrest and prosecution laws. A review of the recent research since the advent of these laws suggests that arrests of women have increased by 25–35%, while the most liberal estimate is that only 1–7% of all IPV arrests are of actual female primary batterers, suggesting that victim arrests are on the rise. Various factors contribute to officers arresting not only primary batterers but victims as well, creating confusion and resentment over mandatory arrest policies. The negative implications of this arrest pattern are far-reaching because errant arrests hold negative consequences for victims, including legal, financial, employment, and familial repercussions.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the resiliency shown by two Pakistani women in their efforts toward posttraumatic recovery as they situate their traumatic experiences within their immediate structural, political, and cultural contexts, which in turn influence their behavior and shape the specific choices they make.
Abstract: Violence against women has been conceptualized in terms of controlling female sexuality, restricting women's autonomy, humiliating and keeping women out of sight, maintaining male control and dominance, and dishonoring other [male] enemies. This paper discusses situations where the violation of women's bodies becomes the site for political rivalries and thus incurring masculine/national honor. The etching of political rivalries onto women's bodies for national honor or to inflict dishonor has a long history and is not unique to Pakistan. Within the theoretical frameworks of ecological psychology and cultural anthropology, this paper highlights the resiliency shown by two Pakistani women in their efforts toward posttraumatic recovery as they situate their traumatic experiences within their immediate structural, political, and cultural contexts, which in turn influence their behavior and shape the specific choices they make.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focused on interpersonal violence and characteristics of resilience (evaluated by the Multidimensional Trauma Resilience and Recovery [MTRR] interview and rating scales) in a sample of incarcerated women and applied qualitative data analysis to a case study of one participant in group therapy for incarcerated women with a history of childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract: Our first study focuses on interpersonal violence and characteristics of resilience (evaluated by the Multidimensional Trauma Resilience and Recovery [MTRR] interview and rating scales) in a sample of incarcerated women. The second study applies qualitative data analysis to a case study of one participant in group therapy for incarcerated women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. Despite extensive history of both frequent and severe abuse, the women displayed a high degree of resilience across multiple domains, including, in particular, the ability to derive meaning from traumatic events and to place the memories into context, ability to form meaningful relationships with others, and ability to regulate affect. These findings were replicated in study two, which illustrates the process of recovery from a poly-traumatic history.
TL;DR: In this article, the recovery status and symptom changes in a one-year follow-up of sexually abused adolescent girls in child protection services in the province of Quebec, Canada were documented.
Abstract: This study documents recovery status and symptom changes in a one-year follow-up of sexually abused adolescent girls in child protection services in the province of Quebec, Canada. Sixteen French-speaking participants completed questionnaires assessing symptoms, types of maltreatment endured, and services received and were interviewed using the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Interview (MTRR-I), which was in turn rated by interviewers using the companion rating scale, the MTRR. Analyses of one-year follow-up data revealed statistically significant changes towards better functioning on multiple domains and less symptomatology for a majority of the girls interviewed. The recovery status of a minority of research participants seems to have worsened in the interval. The discussion considers these findings and addresses relevancy of the MTRR measures in cases of sexually abused adolescents.
TL;DR: A study of 1,142 older adolescents living in the central city of a large urban area found a complex set of relationships among exposure to community violence, psychological distress, gender, ethnicity, and educational status as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A study of 1,142 older adolescents living in the central city of a large urban area found a complex set of relationships among exposure to community violence, psychological distress, gender, ethnicity, and educational status Although males and school dropouts had higher levels of exposure and females had higher levels of psychological distress, the relationshipbetween exposure to community violence and psychological distress did not differ by gender, ethnicity or educational status The findings are interpreted in terms of the theory of protective and vulnerability processes The authors conclude that the relationship between exposure to community violence and psychological distress is robust
TL;DR: The MTRR-99, a shortened version of the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Scale (MTRR), was used to assess the recovery status of 164 incarcerated women prisoners with extensive abuse histories as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: This paper describes two studies leading to the construction of and psychometric support for the MTRR-99, a shortened version of the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Scale (MTRR-135, formerly MTRR) In the first study, the original body of MTRR-135 data was reevaluated to remove psychometrically weak or theoretically unnecessary items The remaining 99 items were then assessed for reliability, validity, and internal consistency In the second study, the new MTRR-99 was applied to assess the recovery status of 164 incarcerated women prisoners with extensive abuse histories Together, these two studies further document the utility of a multidimensional approach to assessing trauma impact, recovery, and resiliency; in addition, they provide preliminary evidence for the MTRR-99 as a viable measure for use with clinical and non-clinical populations
TL;DR: In this article, the intersection of societal prejudice and psychological trauma is examined, highlighting the potentially traumatic effects of racism and discrimination, while also exploring the phenomenon of resilience in a complex ecological system.
Abstract: This article examines the intersection of societal prejudice and psychological trauma. In an instrumental case study created through a layered narrative analysis, the author highlights the potentially traumatic effects of racism and discrimination, while also exploring the phenomenon of resilience in a complex ecological system. The findings suggest that the enduring and continual strain of racial prejudice may cause significant psychological distress, particularly when those experiences reinforce early negative experiences within a family; and that assessments of resilience need to consider the contribution of ecological context to psychological outcomes as well as to an individual's ability to mobilize personal resources when such a context finally shifts.
TL;DR: The authors explored the narratives of 18 survivors of trauma for elements of resilience present in their stories at a time when they were seeking treatment for their psychological distress, and found that participants had personal characteristics and experiences of supportive relationships similar to those of individuals often labeled as resilient.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the narratives of 18 survivors of trauma for elements of resilience present in their stories at a time when they were seeking treatment for their psychological distress. While these participants appeared to be struggling in some or even several aspects of their lives, analyses suggested that they had personal characteristics and experiences of supportive relationships similar to those of individuals often labeled as resilient. In particular, their narratives conveyed motivation to cope and recover, recognition of how traumatic events had influenced them, and faith in the possibility of a better life. The participants also seemed to be in a process of noticing their capacity to make active choices to take care of themselves and developing a sense of themselves as worthy of care.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined 82 Mexican and Mexican-American high school students' experiences with and attitudes about dating violence, and the relationship of these experiences and attitudes to acculturation and acculturative stress.
Abstract: Little is known about dating violence in Mexican-American adolescents. This exploratory study examines 82 Mexican and Mexican-American high school students' experiences with and attitudes about dating violence, and the relationship of these experiences and attitudes to acculturation and acculturative stress. Medium acculturated adolescents (as measured by language preference), compared with high and low acculturated adolescents, had less tolerant attitudes towards dating violence. In addition, acculturative stressors (e.g., conflicted ethnic identity, family acculturation conflict) generally related to more tolerant attitudes and higher rates of perpetration of dating violence. The pattern of results suggest that dating violence is a problem among Mexican-American adolescents and that acculturation and acculturative stress are important factors to consider in the context of dating violence.
TL;DR: In this article, the psychometric properties and process of using the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Scale (MTRR) with 83 untreated war-affected adolescent and adult refugees of diverse cultures, family of origin, age, gender, and time since the war were described.
Abstract: This paper describes the psychometric properties and process of using the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Scale (MTRR) with 83 untreated war-affected adolescent and adult refugees of diverse cultures, family of origin, age, gender, and time since the war. The MTRR met reliability, validity, and utility criteria with this convenience sample. This paper discusses modifications made to the MTRR-I format, questions, and prompts to enable work with the wide range of ages and cultures represented in the sample. The results support the MTRR as a tool that may have the ability to capture the complexity of culture as well as measure a variety of trauma responses and work with other measurements. Limitations of the study and avenues of future research are discussed.
TL;DR: The Theory of Gender and Power is used to examine women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in order to understand the vulnerability of female sex workers/poor women due to poverty and lack of educational resources and explore the role of traditional heterosexual gender norms in the outcomes of sexual negotiation.
Abstract: SUMMARY This article uses the Theory of Gender and Power to examine women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in order to: understand the vulnerability of female sex workers/poor women due to poverty and lack of educational resources; explore women's vulnerability in the context of client/partner violence, alcohol use, male partner's high-risk behaviors, and women's lack of control in their intimate relationships; and explore the role of traditional heterosexual gender norms in the outcomes of sexual negotiation. Ethnographic data were collected from 32 women and 38 men in India as part of an ongoing National Institute of Mental Health study. Results highlighted women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS stemming from partner violence, alcohol use, poverty, dangers of sex work environments, and tacit acceptance of cultural/gender norms.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined factors associated with attrition and retention within a sample of children with a history of intra-familial violence referred for outpatient services and found that 64% completed treatment, 20% did not engage in treatment and 16% terminated prematurely.
Abstract: This investigation examined factors associated with attrition and retention within a sample of children with a history of intra-familial violence referred for outpatient services. The sample included 118 children, aged 4-17 years; of these 64% completed treatment, 20% did not engage in treatment and 16% terminated prematurely. Caregivers reporting high child-related parental distress (F(2, 32) = 3.9, p = 0.03) and high psychological distress (F(2, 70) = 3.3, p = 0.04) were less likely to engage in treatment. Making a child abuse report during assessment or treatment was not found to be associated with treatment engagement or attrition, χ2 (2)= 0.4, p = 0.82. The implications of these findings for clinical practice and treatment outcome research are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, survival analysis was used to predict sexual recidivism in federal inmates who had been placed in foster care as a child, with a history of antisocial behavior.
Abstract: The Intensive Treatment Program for Sexual Offenders (ITPSO) at the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) provides cognitive-behavioral group treatment to federally incarcerated sex offenders Follow-up data for 81 of these men were examined, looking at psychopathy and childhood maltreatment history as potential predictors of recidivism using Survival Analysis Offenders who had been placed in foster care as a child were more likely to recidivate; however when PCL-R Factor 2 scores (a history of antisocial behavior) were entered, they predicted over and above foster care history Childhood physical abuse predicted sexual recidivism; however, childhood sexual abuse and PCL-R scores did not predict sexual recidivism PCL-R Factor 2 scores predicted violent recidivism
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the multiple factors associated with intimate partner violence using the social-ecological framework developed by Heise (1998), which is used to categorize research findings from multiple disciplines according to the level of social organization at which they operate.
Abstract: SUMMARY The aim of this paper is to describe the multiple factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) using the social-ecological framework developed by Heise (1998). This framework is used to categorize research findings from multiple disciplines according to the level of social organization at which they operate. Evidence-based strategies are then reviewed according to the sphere of influence in the social ecological model, as well as their place on the prevention continuum. Along the way, possible effects on women's use of IPV, and battered women's use of violence in particular, will be noted.
TL;DR: The Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) of the Victims of Violence Program and the community empowerment model of intervention that guides its work is described in this paper, where the authors use a case study to illustrate the nature of community-wide trauma, the core attributes of ecologically informed and effective community intervention, and the intervention design, implementation, and evaluation processes that are embedded in the Community empowerment model.
Abstract: This paper describes the history, composition, and community intervention activities of the Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) of the Victims of Violence Program and the community empowerment model of intervention that guides its work. The paper uses a single case study to illustrate the nature of community-wide trauma, the core attributes of ecologically informed and effective community intervention, and the intervention design, implementation, and evaluation processes that are embedded in the community empowerment model. The paper includes a description of the CCRT's approach to the conduct of traumatic stress debriefings and a discussion of the practical and theoretical implications of the CCRT.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the need for a theoretical framework able to account for wide variations in individual expressions of psychological trauma, trauma recovery, and resilience in the context of community psychology.
Abstract: There is growing recognition among trauma researchers, clinicians, and human rights activists of the need for greater understanding of the nature, impact, and mediators of traumatic exposure among trauma survivors from diverse cultures and contexts and a growing interest in the phenomenon of resiliency and the possibility of recovery in the aftermath of traumatic exposure. This introduction briefly describes the articles that comprise this volume, emphasizing their status both as individually unique and worthwhile contributions to this literature and as a collection of works that speak powerfully to the promise of multi-cultural research and practice and to the need for a theoretical framework able to account for wide variations in individual expressions of psychological trauma, trauma recovery, and resilience. For us as co-editors of this volume, that framework resides in the ecological perspective of community psychology and in the attention to culture and context inherent in ecological theory.