Citation

Shir JS. J. Fam. Violence 1999; 14(1): 71-82.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32601

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1023/A:1022870110831

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study explores the current perceptions and ideal expectations battered women have for their marital relationships. Based on previous research on the Circumplex model of Olson (1979), it was hypothesized that battered women's current and ideal relationships would be categorized as Extreme according to this Model. The Extreme categorization has been associated with a variety of forms of family dysfunction. The Family Adaptability and Cohesiveness Evaluation Scales and Demographic Questionnaires were completed by 57 women during their stay at one of two Women's shelters, in addition to 22 in outpatient therapy through one of the shelters. Analyses revealed significant support for the current relationship hypothesis. As predicted, current perceptions fell into the Extreme category; ideal expectations more frequently fell into the Balanced family type. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed; suggestions for directions that future research in this area might take, are offered.
battered - adaptability - cohesiveness - balanced.