Attributions of Self-Blame and Perceived Control as Moderators of Adjustment in Battered Women

Abstract

The present study explored the relationship among attributions of self-blame, perceived control, and psychological adjustment in battered women. A total of 160 women who experienced physical violence in an intimate relationship completed ratings of characterological self-blame, behavioral self-blame, perceived control, and adjustment. Women currently involved with violent partners reported the highest rates of characterological and behavioral self-blame and the lowest level of perceived control. Both dimensions of self-blame were positively correlated with symptoms. Perceived control was associated with lower symptoms. Characterological self-blame, behavioral self-blame, and perceived control moderated the relationship between violence and adjustment. The implications for understanding the process by which self-blame and perceived control moderate psychological adjustment are discussed.

Depressive and Posttraumatic Symptoms Among Women Seeking Protection Orders Against Intimate Partners

“…In contrast, three coping strategies were found to be significantly related to greater distress: women who used disengagement, denial, and self-blame strategies of coping were more likely to be experiencing symptoms of depression and PTSD. Although self-blame has been proposed as an adaptive coping strategy, serving to restore one's sense of control after interpersonal victimization (Janoff-Bulman, 1979), prior empirical studies have identified self-blame as a common response that is strongly related to poor mental health (e.g., O'Neill & Kerig, 2000; Weaver & Clum, 1995). The current study replicates this finding.…”

Does Self-Blame Moderate Psychological Adjustment Following Intimate Partner Violence?

“…Self-blame has been linked to low selfesteem (e.g., Cascardi & O'Leary, 1992;Clements, Sabourin, & Spiby, 2004), and within the PTSD literature, self-blame is associated with greater distress (e.g., Meyer et al, 2012). Similar evidence has emerged linking self-blame to PTSD following interpersonal traumas (e.g., Moor & Farchi, 2011), including IPV (e.g., O'Neill & Kerig, 2000). As such, it is conceivable that self-blame can influence psychological functioning following physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, particularly if a woman blames herself for the abuse.…”

A Model of Sexually and Physically Victimized Women's Process of Attaining Effective Formal Help over Time: The Role of Social Location, Context, and Intervention

“…The results from a community-based, randomized controlled trial with a 2-year longitudinal follow-up indicate that a brief advocacy intervention for IPV survivors was effective in reducing their risk of re-abuse and improving their access to community resources, quality of life, and level of social support over time (Bybee and Sullivan 2002;Sullivan and Bybee 1999). The researchers hypothesize that the survivor-centered, holistic approach, with an emphasis on both attainment of material resources and social support, fostered increased quality of life as well as feelings of control and self-efficacy, factors understood to contribute to positive mental health outcomes among sexually and physically victimized women (Bybee and Sullivan 2002;Frazier 2003;O'Neill and Kerig 2000). Advocates partner with women who have experienced IPV and work with them to define what their needs are, seek help from multiple service providers, and obtain effective help that meets their self-defined needs (Sullivan 2003).…”