Citation

Edwards KM, Merrill JC, Desai AD, McNamara JR. J. Psychol. Trauma 2008; 7(1): 1.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19322880802125878

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore the ethical dilemmas inherent in the treatment of women currently in abusive relationships. Utilizing ethical decision-making models, the conflicting principles of beneficence and autonomy are discussed with regards to whether a therapist should encourage a client to leave an abusive relationship. Given that most ethical decision-making models stress the importance of contextual factors that are relevant to a given ethical situation, this article discusses the importance of evaluating, considering, and weighing certain factors, such as abuse severity and competency/rationality, in cases involving intimate partner violence,. Following this discussion, recommendations and implications for research and policy are delineated.