Childhood Victimization and Its Impact on Coping Behaviors for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

• NCJ Number: 231512
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2010 Pages: 575-585
• Author(s): Marciana L. Popescu; Rene Drumm; Smita Dewan; Corneliu Rusu
• Date Published: August 2010
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the impact of childhood and current victimization on victims' ability to cope with interpersonal violence (IPV).

Abstract

This study explores patterns of victimization and coping in a conservative Christian denomination. Four types of coping behaviors are identified: informal coping, professional help-seeking, negative coping and crisis outreach. While religious behaviors are less influential than expected for this particular population, current victimization and childhood victimization play a significant role in establishing a model of coping and help-seeking for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in faith communities. Childhood victimization acts as an aggravating factor, predicting negative coping with IPV. At the same time, childhood victimization significantly increases the likelihood of seeking professional help. The study adds to the body of knowledge by contributing to a better understanding of the impact of childhood victimization on coping and help-seeking. Tables and references (Published Abstract)