TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2004//
TI  - Breaking the cycle of family violence: understanding the perceptions of battered women
JO  - Journal of Pediatric Health Care
A1  - Lutenbacher, Melanie
A1  - Conner, Nichole M.
A1  - Cohen, A.
SP  - 236
EP  - 243
VL  - 18
IS  - 5
N2  - BACKGROUND: Domestic violence screening recommendations that guide pediatric care providers exist but screening remains low. Many providers do not understand the linkages between aversive childhood experiences and adult abuse experiences. PURPOSE: To describe the childhood abuse experiences in 40 battered women.Research questions How prevalent is childhood abuse in a sample of battered women? How do these women describe their childhood abuse experiences? METHOD: Women who had left or were currently in abusive relationships were recruited by posting advertisements in public areas. Each woman participated in a semi-structured individual interview that included open-ended questions and administration of standardized measures. RESULTS: Most women described abuse during their childhood, reported high depressive symptoms, and indicated a high potential risk for child abuse. Content analysis of descriptions of childhood abuse experiences yielded five themes: socialization not to tell, normalcy of events, abandonment, escape, and shame. Women reported limited assistance during their childhood and adult abuse experiences from health care providers who lacked a family focus. DISCUSSION: Mothers' experiences with childhood and adult abuse challenge their ability to develop healthy family relationships. Pediatric health care providers must routinely screen for abuse in mothers and children within a family-centered approach.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0891-5245
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2004.04.002
ID  - ref1
ER  -