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This randomized controlled study assessed the efficacy of group psychodrama intervention in reducing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and enhancing Quality of Life (QoL) for Syrian Refugee Abused Women (RAW) who were living in the Al- Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. Forty IPV refugee Syrian women were randomly assigned to either the psychodrama group (n=20) or the control/comparison group (n=20). The DVQ and WHOQOL-100 were used to assess the IPV and QoL, respectively. The psychodrama group attended 12 psychodrama sessions (one session per week). The results indicated that the psychodrama group participants demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in IPV severity and enhancement in all QoL sub-dimensions (with one exception of the environmental sub-dimension). The study suggested and recommended other family members involved in any further family counseling interventions for refugees. Keywords: Psychodrama intervention, IPV, Quality of life, Abused refugee women, Introduction Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrated by a current or former partner is the most common violence type, targeting women. IPV continues to be the primary violation of women's fundamental [...]

Emotional disorders are common in survivors of gender-based violence, especially intimate partner violence (IPV), and are often maintained by shame and self-criticism. Compassion-based therapies target shame and self-criticism but have not been evaluated in this population to date, nor in any low- or middle-income country. Ten Colombian females reporting recent gender-based violence and clinical levels of emotional disorder(s) completed a 5-session group compassion-based therapy intervention. Measures of symptoms and hypothesized mediators were applied 5 weeks before treatment (baseline), pre-treatment, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. At follow-up, 56 to 89% of cases showed reliable symptom change (depending on the measure). Self-inadequacy, guilt cognitions and experiential avoidance may be important mediators of change. Findings indicate that compassion-based interventions may benefit this population, even for women remaining in relationships with IPV, those with low formal education, and in contexts where gender-based violence is a social norm., Author(s): Iona Naismith [sup.1] , Karen Ripoll [sup.1] , Valeria M. Pardo [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7247.6, 0000000419370714, Department of Psychology, University of the Andes, , Bogota, Colombia Gender-Based Violence [...]

Cet article traite de deux aidants discrimines qui travaillent ou ont deja travaille dans un centre de prevention de violence sexuelle a la demande d'un campus universitaire. Que veut dire cacher ses sentiments afin d'aider les survivants? Quel est l'Impact de ce travail affectif sur le travailleur social?, Background: Understanding Sexual Violence Against Women on Post-Secondary Campuses in Canada Sexual violence can happen anywhere, but colleges and universities in Canada are home to those who are at the [...]

Few evaluations have assessed the outcomes of group therapy for women abused by intimate partners. Most group programs emphasize support rather than offering therapy, although women abused by partners often present with significant clinical mental health issues. This paper describes, 'You're Not Alone,' a 14-week therapy group model for women abused by intimate partners informed by a narrative approach Jenkins (The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 12 (4), 186-195 1991 (See CR26)). The results present the demographic characteristics of the 379 women who began group, and a comparison of those who completed treatment (N = 214) versus those who dropped out (N = 165). Women with less income and a psychiatric history were less likely to complete group, as were women with higher depression, clinical stress, and mental health symptoms. The pretest/posttest outcome evaluation for the completers used measures of mental health symptoms, self-esteem, depression, and clinical stress, finding statistically significant improvements on most measures with moderate effect sizes. Practice implications and suggestions are presented., Author(s): Leslie M. Tutty[sup.1] , Rochelle (Robbie) Babins-Wagner[sup.1] , Michael A. Rothery[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Violence [...]

This study aimed to identify factors associated with the likelihood of IPV cessation among women attending Spanish primary healthcare. Of the 2465 women who reported lifetime IPV, 36.1 % stated that violence had ceased. Those women not currently abused had higher levels of education and social support, were workers or students, and had no dependent children. When IPV duration was less than 5 years, the likelihood of cessation was two times higher than when IPV continued beyond 5 years. For women who have experienced physical IPV, the probability of ending the violent relationship was 10 times higher than for those suffering from psychological IPV. The implications of the findings regarding clinical significance and future research are discussed., Author(s): Isabel Montero[sup.1] , David Martin-Baena[sup.2] , Vicenta Escribà-Agüir[sup.3] , Carmen Vives-Cases[sup.4] , Isabel Ruiz-Perez[sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Psychiatry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain (2) Epidemiology and Public [...]

Using an 18-month longitudinal follow-up of women receiving healthcare at intervention clinics compared to control clinics, the present study tested four hypotheses related to the effectiveness of a systems change intervention on intimate partner violence (IPV) inquiry, violence reduction and the health and wellbeing of women patients in family medicine clinics. The study also examined participants' views of the benefits and harms of IPV inquiry. Results showed that the intervention increased IPV inquiry, discussion, and disclosure compared to usual care. Women in intervention clinics made fewer doctor visits, but also received more prescriptions over time. The groups did not differ in change in physical violence, use of safety plans and strategies, connection to the community, patient satisfaction, or quality of health. Over the course of the study, both the intervention and usual care groups adopted more safety behaviors and experienced less violence, suggesting that participating in research interviews may have constituted an unintentional intervention. Small sample size (N=34), low participation rate (32 %) and attrition (35 %) call for caution in interpreting these results. Keywords Intimate partner violence * Healthcare * IPV screening and inquiry * Systems change, Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common among female medical patients in primary care settings and exacts a heavy toll on their health and well-being. A recent comprehensive review reveals IPV [...]

This study aimed to determine whether training and documentation led to improved assessment of female victims of assault due to domestic violence presenting to an emergency department. Eighty clinical records were audited using a valid and reliable audit tool over four time periods for variables including history, risk assessment, and examination. Documentation differed across the four groups (p = 0.011). Between group analysis found there was a difference (p = 0.055) between Groups 1 (before training) and 2 (after training), and Group 3 (with a specialist form in place), and there was a difference (p = 0.009) between Groups 1 and 4 (8 years later). Training alone did not lead to change. Introducing specialist documentation with training was associated with an improvement in the standard of clinical assessment of female victims of assault due to domestic violence and this change increased over time. Keywords Practice change * Intimate partner violence * Workforce development * Evaluation * Health professionals, Documentation in the emergency department (ED) is a critical element of clinical practice when children or adults are abused. Such documentation is important clinically and can be called on for [...]

Summary Domestic violence has a lasting and damaging effect on the lives of thousands of women, men and children in Ireland and the UK. Yet, healthcare services are ill equipped [...]

The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an advocacy intervention on improving the mental health of Chinese women survivors of intimate partner violence. The results indicate that such interventions did not result in a meaningful improvement in depression in the case of such women.

Legal redress can play a critical role in interrupting the pattern of domination and control inherent in intimate partner violence (IPV), yet it remains an infrequent strategy among battered women. The current study employed a contextual framework for investigating the correlates for engagement in the criminal justice system for a sample of 227 sheltered battered women. Results indicated that individual, relational, and system-level factors were all associated with two legal help-seeking behaviors: having a civil protection order and criminal prosecution. In particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, social support, and prior experience with police officers were significant correlates for legal help-seeking. Results highlight the need for a coordinated community response to IPV, addressing both legal needs and psychological needs simultaneously. Keywords: intimate partner violence; criminal justice system; PTSD DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.24.6.771

This study explored the experiences of Uzbek women therapists and counselors working to end violence against women through their involvement in nongovernmental organizations. A content analysis was used, which elicited four themes: (a) participants' early interactions provided them with an awareness of gender injustices that led them into adult leadership roles with the support of family members; (b) motivation to work with nongovernmental organizations developed due to perceived barriers that impeded women's access to resources and personal freedoms; (c) participants struggled with how to create crisis centers without a grassroots foundation and with the limitations placed on them by the Uzbek government; and (d) the paradox o f feminism: participants held views of Western feminism that both inspired and disturbed them, resulting in distance from feminist identities but general respect for its philosophies. KEYWORDS counselor identity, crisis work, feminism, Uzbekistan DOI: 10.1080/02703140903153344

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of Latina immigrants who are divorcing and in domestic violence support groups (DVSGs). To gain an understanding of the client perspective, an ex-post facto research design was utilized with the data collection taking place after the members had terminated with the DVSG services. The convenience sample consisted of 15 Latina women. A questionnaire was used to determine the women's satisfaction with the group services. Results indicated that overall the group experience was positive, with 80% of the women reporting an overall 'excellent' experience and 20% reporting an overall 'good' experience. KEYWORDS domestic violence, intimate partner violence, divorce support groups, domestic violence groups, Latina women, Hispanic women, undocumented Latina women, immigrants DOI: 10.1080/10502550902970561

Do you feel overwhelmed when attempting to treat battered women with ongoing safety concerns? Could battered women in shelters benefit from psychotherapy in addition to the case management they traditionally receive? What type of treatment would be most beneficial for battered women in shelters? Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most prevalent disorder associated with intimate partner violence (IPV). PTSD is associated with severe impairment and loss of resources, which can severely impact a sheltered battered woman's ability to establish long-term safety for herself and her children. Consequently, we have developed a new treatment for sheltered battered women with PTSD, Helping to Overcome PTSD through Empowerment (HOPE). HOPE is a short-term cognitive-behavioral treatment in a preliminary stage of development for battered women with PTSD in domestic violence shelters. It focuses on stabilization, safety, and empowerment and teaches women skills to manage their PTSD symptoms that may interfere with their ability to access important community resources and establish safety for themselves and their children. A case example utilizing HOPE is offered. Future directions and clinical applications are discussed. Keywords: battered women, intimate partner violence, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cognitive-behavioral treatment, trauma

This article describes a brief, 12-week dialectical behavior therapy program modified for female victims of domestic abuse and provides a preliminary examination of this intervention. Dialectical behavior therapy is a comprehensive cognitive--behavioral treatment, which was originally developed to treat multiproblem clients with severe and chronic emotion dysregulation, and was adapted for this study to treat female victims of domestic abuse. From pretreatment to posttreatment, participants (N = 31) showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and general psychiatric distress as well as increased social adjustment. Additionally, participants reported high levels of consumer satisfaction with the treatment. Findings support the possible utility of dialectical behavior therapy for enhancing psychological and social well-being in female victims of domestic abuse. Keywords: domestic abuse, women victims, dialectical behavior therapy, group therapy, emotion regulation

Health professionals from two different clinical settings were asked about their comfort level in dealing with intimate partner violence (IPV). Focus groups and semistructured interviews were used to gather information. Staff in an obstetrics and gynecology setting relatively rich in IPV resources described feeling capable dealing with IPV. The staff in a general medicine setting dedicated to women's health but without a focus on IPV and with fewer supports described discomfort and difficulty dealing with IPV. Presence of systemic prioritization of and resources for IPV were described as contributing to the confidence in addressing the issue. Other necessary elements identified included (a) on-site resources, (b) adequate time, (c) focused IPV training, and (d) a team or systemic approach. Keywords: intimate partner violence; screening; barriers to care; health care system; coordinated care

Health care providers are advised to refer abused women to needed community services. However, little is known about abused women's perceived need for services, particularly among Latina women. We examined the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and perceived needs for legal, social, and job services among a prospective cohort of 210 pregnant Latinas. IPV was associated with needing social and legal services at most time points. Women with recent IPV experiences reported greater service needs than women with more remote IPV experiences, who in turn reported greater need than women without IPV experiences. We conclude that IPV may be associated with ongoing perceived needs for social and legal services among Latina perinatal patients. Keywords: intimate partner violence; Hispanic health; community services; pregnancy

Items from the Emotional Support Subscale of the Bosch Support Measure were administered in a small survey of 56 formerly abused rural women in the midwestern USA. Maximum likelihood factor analyses were performed on a total of 21 items. A 5-factor solution appeared to produce the best results, but only 3 factors suggested viable subscales with Cronbach alphas greater than .80. Informal support networks in the rural areas studied here appeared to provide survivors of domestic violence with general emotional support to a greater extent than guidance on accessing professional resources and help.

The purpose of this experiment was to conduct a dismantling study of cognitive processing therapy in which the full protocol was compared with its constituent components--cognitive therapy only (CPT-C) and written accounts (WA)--for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid symptoms. The intent-to-treat (ITT) sample included 150 adult women with PTSD who were randomized into 1 of the 3 conditions. Each condition consisted of 2 hr of therapy per week for 6 weeks; blind assessments were conducted before treatment, 2 weeks following the last session, and 6 months following treatment. Measures of PTSD and depression were collected weekly to examine the course of recovery during treatment as well as before and after treatment. Secondary measures assessed anxiety, anger, shame, guilt, and dysfunctional cognitions. Independent ratings of adherence and competence were also conducted. Analyses with the ITT sample and with study completers indicate that patients in all 3 treatments improved substantially on PTSD and depression, the primary measures, and improved on other indices of adjustment. However, there were significant group differences in symptom reduction during the course of treatment whereby the CPT-C condition reported greater improvement in PTSD than the WA condition. Keywords: cognitive processing therapy, posttraumatic stress disorder, interpersonal violence, cognitive behavioral therapy

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment meted out to women at domestic violence shelters is conducted. Results indicate that such shelters, along with other services are useful coupled with counseling in helping abused women.

Very little is known about what factors influence women's treatment preferences after a sexual assault. To learn more about these factors, data were collected from 273 women who read a standard 'if this happened to you, what would you do' scenario describing a sexual assault and subsequent trauma-related psychiatric symptoms. After reading standardized treatment options for a pharmacotherapy (sertraline) and a psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral treatment), participants made a hypothetical treatment choice and reported the main reasons for their choice. Women often cited reasons surrounding the effectiveness of a treatment as the primary reason for their treatment preference, suggesting potential masking of symptoms with the medication and more logical, long-lasting effects with the psychotherapy. Other common reasons underlying treatment preference were wariness of the medication and positive feelings about talking in psychotherapy. Better understanding factors that influence treatment preference may aid in refining psychoeducation materials regarding the psychological consequences of sexual assault and their treatment for the lay public and in helping clinicians further tailor their discussion of treatment alternatives for these women. Keywords: exploratory analysis; treatment; choice; PTSD; prolonged exposure; sertraline

Restraining orders, often used as the first line of protection for battered women, are surrounded by negative assumptions and beliefs held by key stakeholders who question their use and effectiveness. This article evaluates current research on restraining orders by describing four negative assumptions that were found in a review of qualitative and quantitative research. Each negative assumption includes a brief discussion of the origin of the assumption and a synthesis of the research that has addressed each assumption. The article concludes with strategies for advocates for battered women and practitioners to use when challenging the negative assumptions held by others. Keywords: battered women; civil protection order; domestic violence; restraining order

The goal of this grounded-theory qualitative study is to inform practice for working with New Zealand women who experience male partner abuse. The basic psychosocial process of growing through adversity emerged as salient for all 10 participants. This process is composed of three highly interactive core categories (finding a path beyond abuse, getting a life, and becoming myself) and five sequential phases (falling for love, taking control, securing a base, making sense of it, and being myself). This article focuses on the phases of the process and reports patterns that are consistent with other studies that have identified phases of the process. Keywords: domestic violence; personal growth; recovery

In this exploratory study, a convenience sample of 125 mostly low-income women of color who were in treatment for problems associated with misusing substances responded to standardized measures and researcher-developed questions about their use of substances and experiences with partner abuse. Most of the women stated that their substance problems began after their first incident of partner abuse and that their misuse of substances occurred before and after specific incidents of partner abuse. The women also described various strengths they had used to cope. Screening for substance problems and partner abuse in all settings, as well as the use of women's strengths in treatment, is suggested. Keywords: partner abuse; substance abuse; women's strengths; women of color

The purpose of this paper is to explore events and factors that lead to conflict in the home in the Afghan refugee setting, and the current status of the health sector's ability to respond to evidence of conflict. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 women of reproductive age and 20 health workers serving these women in an Afghan refugee camp near Peshawar, Pakistan, during the summer of 2004. In particular, this paper analyses women's explanations of how various marriage traditions may be linked to conflict in the home and how the interactions of different family members may be related to conflict. The relationships of women with their parents-in-law and husbands are highlighted in particular, and a model developed to explore the choreography of their relationships and the ways in which these dynamics may encourage or inhibit violence. The perspectives of health workers on the ways in which the health system responds to family conflict and violence are also presented. Finally, this paper provides information that helps to frame the issues of family violence and conflict in long-term refugee populations for intervention designers and those who are working to craft a health sector response to this problem. Keywords: Refugee violence; Violence against women; Health care; Pakistan; Afghanistan; Refugees

This study reports findings from interviews with 242, primarily African American, battered women in Detroit. Most of the women rated domestic violence advocacy as very or somewhat helpful. Satisfaction with police and receiving referrals from the legal system were significantly associated with ratings of advocates' helpfulness. Receiving information, being emotionally supported, and having advocates readily available and accessible were the most common reasons why women rated advocates as helpful. Women who gave advocates low helpfulness ratings described them as unavailable, unsympathetic, or ineffective in legally sanctioning abusers. Less than half of the women who experienced severe violence in the focal incident reported that advocates helped them with safety planning, and there was a low rate of follow-up on referrals provided by advocates. This analysis suggests that advocacy can be satisfying for urban, African American women, but more intensive services should be provided to make a significant contribution to their safety. KEY WORDS: advocacy; African American women; battered women; domestic violence., INTRODUCTION Battered women are a very vulnerable population, and social service workers often respond to them inadequately (Coley & Beckett, 1988; Gondolf, 1998). African American battered women in particular have [...]

The authors report on changes in cognitions related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 54 female survivors of sexual and nonsexual assault with chronic PTSD who completed either prolonged exposure alone or in combination with cognitive restructuring. Treatment included 9-12 weekly sessions, and assessment was conducted at pretreatment, posttreatment, and a modal 12-month follow-up. As hypothesized, treatment that included prolonged exposure resulted in clinically significant, reliable, and lasting reductions in negative cognitions about self, world, and self-blame as measured by the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. The hypothesis that the addition of cognitive restructuring would augment cognitive changes was not supported. Reductions in these negative cognitions were significantly related to reductions in PTSD symptoms. The addition of cognitive restructuring did not significantly augment the cognitive changes. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.

This study partially replicates and expands on a previous study that showed women's perceptions of risk to be a strong predictor of reassault among batterers. The current study employed a larger and multisite sample, a longer follow-up period of 15 months, and multiple outcomes including 'repeated reassault' (n = 499). According to the multinomial logistic regressions, women's perceptions of risk improved prediction with risk factors (ROC area under the curve improved by .04 and sensitivity of repeated reassault increased 12 percentage points). In comparison to simulated risk instruments, women's perceptions by themselves were better predictors than the K-SID, similar in predictive ability to the SARA, and almost as strong as the DAS. The best prediction of repeated reassault was obtained using risk markers, including women's perceptions (ROC AUC = .83; 70% sensitivity) or by using the DAS and women's perceptions together (ROC AUC =. 73; 64% sensitivity). Keywords: batterer; batterer programs; perceptions of risk; risk assessment; risk instruments

This article describes a second treatment-outcome study of cognitive trauma therapy for battered women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; CTT-BW). CTT-BW includes trauma history exploration; PTSD education; stress management; exposure to abuse and abuser reminders; self-monitoring of negative self-talk; cognitive therapy for guilt; and modules on self-advocacy, assertiveness, and how to identify perpetrators. One hundred twenty-five ethnically diverse women were randomly assigned to immediate or delayed CTT-BW. PTSD remitted in 87% of women who completed CTT-BW, with large reductions in depression and guilt and substantial increases in self-esteem. White and ethnic minority women benefited equally from CTT-BW. Similar treatment outcomes were obtained by male and female therapists and by therapists with different levels of education and training. Gains were maintained at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

This study tested four hypotheses about the impact of a 3-h domestic violence training program with 752 health care providers on attitudes and values related to screening and helping partner violence victims. Hypotheses 1, 2, and 3 were that training would be related to: 1) increased self-efficacy to identify and help partner violence victims, 2) increased endorsement of the role of health care providers and settings for helping partner violence victims, and 3) increased comfort making appropriate community referrals to help partner violence victims. Hypothesis 4 was that training effects would be moderated by prior training and by prior experience with helping a victim. Following training, health care providers reported increased self-efficacy, increased comfort making appropriate community referrals, and increased valuation of health care providers and the health care system as having an important role in stopping domestic violence. Hypothesis 4 was also supported. Prior training and/or experience with an abuse victim predicted smaller changes in the dependent variables. These gains held at a 6-month follow-up. Implications for training curriculum design are discussed, in addition to institutional policy implications for determining the benefits versus costs of universal training, including staff who demonstrate prior training or experience with battered victims. Study limitations and future research directions, including the need to measure performance and policy compliance will also be outlined. KEY WORDS: domestic violence; health care; training; self-efficacy.

Two personalized substance abuse assessment and feedback interventions were tested for effectiveness in engaging female domestic violence shelter residents in substance abuse treatment. One hundred forty-seven residents were assessed for quantity and frequency of substance use, negative consequences due to use, motivation to change substance use behavior, and psychopathological symptoms related to substance abuse. Assessment identified (33) 22% of participants as heavy substance users. Twenty of the 33 heavy-using residents received one of two personalized substance use feedback interventions: face-to-face feedback or written feedback placed in shelter mailboxes. Treatment engagement was defined as attending at least one substance abuse treatment session within 30 days after the intervention. Results showed a significant difference in treatment engagement rates in favor of the face-to-face feedback group (60% vs. 0%). The results provide preliminary data suggesting that substance abuse assessment can be effectively accomplished in the shelter environment and that the face-to-face feedback procedure may be an effective intervention to bridge the service linkage problem between domestic violence services and substance abase treatment. Keywords: domestic violence; substance abuse; treatment engagement; motivational interviewing

The authors use multicultural, family process and structure, and gender concepts to provide a framework for understanding the supports for and barriers to mental health that are experienced by abused [...]

Despite increasing attention to the problem of domestic violence and its multifaceted consequences, the career development needs of battered women have only sporadically been addressed in the vocational psychology literature. In this article, the scope and consequences of domestic violence are reviewed, highlighting effects on women's career and educational well-being. Social cognitive career theory (SCCT; R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, & G. Hackett, 1994) is described and applied to the experiences of women living in domestic violence situations. A framework for empowering battered women and using SCCT to promote their career development and attainment is provided, along with recommendations for future research., During the past 30 years, the issues of domestic violence and battered women have received increasing attention both nationally and globally through media campaigns, legislation initiatives, and research conducted in [...]

Approximately 15% of married or cohabiting women and as many as 60% of battered women are raped at least once by their partners. This study compared community-based counseling outcomes of battered women with outcomes of women who were both raped and battered by their partners. Over time, both groups improved in well-being and coping. Although those both battered and raped progressed more in counseling, they had lower scores before and after counseling compared to women who were battered only. Implications for research and intervention are discussed. Keywords: domestic violence; evaluation; marital rape: counseling

Psychotherapists who have received minimal training in neuropsychology do not consider cognitive rehabilitation among the treatment options for their clients who have mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Historical perspectives on mTBI did not acknowledge brain plasticity and/or rehabilitation, yet rehabilitation might provide a necessary foundation for a client to be able to benefit from traditional feminist psychotherapy. This article provides an overview of two treatment modalities, biofeedback and neuropsychologically-informed feminist psychotherapy, for women with mTBI who sought relief from interstitial cystitis and headaches. Assessment for neuropsychological treatment planning and monitoring is illustrated with employment of the Ackerman-Banks Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Battery. Clinical examples are provided to demonstrate a variety of manifestations of mTBI and responses to treatment. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: [c] 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.] KEYWORDS. mTBI, Ackerman-Banks Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Battery, rehabilitation, neuropsychology, women, biofeedback, feminist psychotherapy, pelvic disorders, interstitial cystitis, pain, cardiovascular

Doctors should do what they can to identify victims of domestic violence and refer them to social agencies that may be able to help them. Three case studies show how this can be done and a list of Internet resources and clinical practice guidelines is included.

This article discusses the findings of a study of reflective clinical social work practice with women who had experienced wife assault. Literature, practice, and research suggest that it may be beneficial to examine, within the therapeutic setting, clients' engagement with popular cultural texts and what they have learned from them. Through the process of engaging women in reflecting on their learning sites and negotiating images within their favorite popular cultural texts, it also became clear that it would be necessary to examine conceptions of hope. Thus, approaches to addressing hope within practice are also discussed.

The purpose of this article is to use a Black feminist/ womanist framework to (a) explore the historical factors that discourage Black women's participation in the research process; (b) demonstrate how research can be a potential avenue of resistance and healing for African American women survivors of intimate male partner violence; and (c) suggest ways for practitioners and researchers to encourage the participation of this population. Benefits from the research process emerged as 3 themes: (a) healing the self, (b) helping others, and (c) envisioning new life directions. KEYWORDS. Blacks, battered women, interviews, ethics