The Battered Woman Syndrome, Third Edition

"e;This is an excellent book, written by the foremost authority in the field. [It] is easy to read and does a nice job integrating theory and research."e; Score: 95, 4 stars--Doody'sWalker's seminal, groundbreaking book The Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) has forged new directions in the field of domestic violence for over 30 years. Now, the highly anticipated, third edition offers thoroughly updated and revised research on key topics, including posttraumatic stress disorder, learned helplessness or learned optimism, the cycle theory of violence, and much more. This third edition presents updated data generated from the newly modified Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ). With a new focus on culture and ethnicity, these data detail the experiences of foreign women who either live in their country of origin or the U.S. Like its popular predecessors, this new edition serves as a valuable resource for both professional counselors and students studying domestic violence.Discussions on the revised criteria for the BWS and PTSD:Posttraumatic stress and re-experiencing the trauma High levels of anxiety and arousalEmotional numbing, avoidance behaviors, and depressionDisrupted interpersonal relationships Distorted body image and physical illnessesSexual issues, including feelings of guilt, shame, and jealousy Key topics discussed:Attachment issues for battered women and the men who batter themSubstance abuse and addictionRisk factors for further abuseWomen in prison and battered women who kill their abusive partners in self-defenseThe Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program (STEP) which helps women better understand how the violence has impacted their lives

"Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1The Battered Woman Syndrome Overview
Chapter 2History
Chapter 3What Is the Battered Woman Syndrome?
Chapter 4Learned Helplessness, Learned Optimism and Battered Women
Chapter 5Descriptions of Violence and the Cycle of Violence
Chapter 6Risk Assessment and Lethal Potential
Chapter 7Body Image and Somatic Symptoms
Chapter 8Sexuality Issues
Chapter 9Battered Women's Attachment Style and Interpersonal FunctioningChapter 10Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
Chapter 11Impact of Violence in the Home on Children
Chapter 12Cross- Cultural and Cross-National Issues in Domestic Violence
Chapter 13Domestic Violence Courts and Batterer's Treatment Programs
Chapter 14Battered Women in Jail and Prison
Chapter 15Mental Health Needs of Battered Women
Chapter 16Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program (STEP)
References
Index
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