Citation

Parker G, Lee C. J. Interpers. Violence 2007; 22(9): 1184-1198.

Affiliation

The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260507303732

PMID

17704462

Abstract

We examined relationships between abuse, coping, and psychological health among 143 women who had experienced abuse in adult relationships. Measures included characteristics of the abuse, problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, Sense of Coherence, and four measures of psychological wellbeing-the SF-36 Mental Component Scale, the General Health Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and a measure of perceived negative effects of the abuse. Problem-focused coping was not related to psychological health, and the influence of emotion-focused coping on psychological health was indirect. Sense of coherence had significant direct effects on psychological health. Both emotion-focused coping and sense of coherence were related to aspects of the abusive experience. The concept of sense of coherence has parallels with the recently proposed concept of meaning-focused coping, and the data suggest that finding meaning in adverse events such as abuse is associated with better psychological well-being.

Language: en