Review of The domestic assault of women: Psychological and criminal justice perspectives.

Reviews the book, The domestic assault of women: Psychological and criminal justice perspectives by Donald A. Dutton (1988). This book provides a comprehensive analysis of battered women and their husbands by integrating current theories and research on violence and victimization within a social psychological perspective. The book is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter outlines the current data on the incidence of wife assault and proposes a theoretical framework for understanding the problem. The next two chapters outline the theory and research available on men who assault their partners. Chapter four details the impact of violence on victims and provides some explanations for battered women becoming "prisoners" in their own home. Chapter five details the shortcomings of the criminal justice response to battered women. Chapter six provides some more optimistic information on treatment programs for violent husbands. The book ends with a section on future trends, including current research programs on children who witness violence in their homes. Overall, the book is well written and demonstrates Dutton's excellent analytical skills. He has an ability to integrate diverse theoretical models on family violence with current research studies in the field. His understanding of battered women and their husbands flows dramatically into the dismal record of the criminal justice system in providing a meaningful response to the problem. His analysis of current treatment programs offers some valuable insight to the reader on the most effective strategies for this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between prior sexual abuse and reactions to sexual harrassment: Literature review and empirical study.

This article examines whether individuals who have had prior sexual abuse experiences, including sexual harassment (SH) and child sexual abuse, are hypersensitive to potential SH-related stimuli or overreact to social sexual experiences. Some psychologists and legal scholars suggest that previous sexual abuse or exposure to violence against women produces altered perceptions of current interactions and situations in those women. The review of the extant empirical literature examining such relationships and the findings presented here in an interrelated set of 5 studies provide little general or consistent support for a relationship between prior abuse experiences and current perceptions about SH. Caution is advised in judging either the veracity of an SH complaint or the objectivity of a potential juror's reaction to such a claim on the basis of her prior sexual abuse experiences. The literature review and empirical study lend weight to the irrelevance of such inquiries in judging credibility of SH complainants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Child sexual abuse: Critical perspectives on prevention, intervention, and treatment.

Reviews the book, Child sexual abuse: Critical perspectives on prevention, intervention, and treatment edited by Christopher R. Bagley and Ray J. Thomlison (1991). This book is a compilation of a series of literature reviews originally commissioned by Health and Welfare Canada in 1987 and completed in 1988. The individual papers included in this edited version represent a cross section of Canadian academicians, clinicians, and case workers who are integrally involved in the policies and practices regarding child sexual abuse in Canada. The work provides a comprehensive perspective on prevention at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The list of authors is impressive in terms of their expertise and experience. At a time when numerous books on child sexual abuse are appearing on the market, it is nice to see a book that has some unusual aspects. Aside from its distinctly Canadian perspective, the book addresses several important, yet frequently ignored, topics. The book provides an up-to-date review of several core issues: conceptualization of the problem, prevention strategies, impact of sexual abuse, investigative interviewing, treatment outcome studies, and treatment issues for child molesters. The more unique topics include a review of the strategies used to evaluate prevention programs, prevalence rates among a number of special populations, the role of medical practitioners in preventing and intervening in child sexual abuse, and sexual abuse and exploitation among disabled individuals. Overall, I can recommend this book for clinicians and researchers in Canada and elsewhere who are interested in child sexual abuse. This compilation of literature reviews highlights the leading role that Canadian social service agencies have taken in developing programs for sexually abused children and their families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial.

The papers collected in this special issue of CJBS reflect a growing interest in the field of family violence among Canadian investigators. The purpose of this collection is twofold: first, to focus attention on the problem of family violence as a research issue by introducing some examples of current research to those unfamiliar with the issue; and second, to encourage researchers to continue and expand their efforts in this field. This collection of papers mirrors the diversity of focus among family violence research programs, the range of research techniques used, and the differences in state-of-the-art in the various sub-fields of child abuse, sexual victimization of children, and wife assault. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Protecting Children from Domestic Violence: Strategies for Community Intervention.

Reviews the book Protecting children from domestic violence: Strategies for community intervention, edited by Peter J. Jaffe, Linda L. Baker, and Alison J. Cunningham (see record 2005-04430-000). The book emerged from the International Conference on Children Exposed to Domestic Violence that was held in London, Ontario in 2001. It begins with an excellent chapter by Jeffrey Edleson synthesizing the literature on the impact of exposure to domestic violence on children. Edleson's chapter is followed by two papers examining emerging assessments and treatment programs. The second section of the book addresses current thinking about individual and group intervention approaches. The third section of the book examines broader system level responses, including public awareness and school-based campaigns, as well as responses by the courts and police. This is a well-organized collection of papers that provides a good overview of the state of knowledge and innovative practice in an emerging field of practice. Protecting Children from Domestic Violence provides practitioners, policy makers, and researchers with an excellent overview of current knowledge and practices in working with children exposed to domestic violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The impact of interpersonal violence in adulthood on women's job satisfaction and productivity: The mediating roles of mental and physical health.

Objective: With growing awareness of the prevalence of interpersonal violence victimization among women, research has begun to examine the impact of these experiences on employment. To date, much of this work in the United States has centered on low-income women moving from public assistance to paid employment and research gaps in our understanding of a broader range of working women's experiences still exist. The present study explored the impact of multiple types of victimization (sexual violence, physical intimate partner violence, psychological abuse, and stalking) on a range of work outcomes (job satisfaction, job benefits, job interference). Method: A random-digit-dial telephone survey of 1,079 women living in New Hampshire was conducted. Measures included questions about victimization in adulthood and current perceptions of employment. Results: A multivariate analysis of variance and regression analyses showed clear links between victimization experiences and negative work outcomes. Mental and physical health symptoms represent important mediators explaining these links. Conclusion: Results support the need for workplace policies and supports that provide safety nets for survivors and encourages the development of community norms that assist survivors in accessing such supports. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Child abuse: New directions in prevention and treatment across the lifespan.

Reviews the book, Child abuse: New directions in prevention and treatment across the lifespan by David A. Wolfe, Robert J. McMahon, and Ray DeV. Peters (see record 1997-30225-000). This edited book offers a diverse collection of chapters that describe innovative approaches to the treatment and prevention of child physical and sexual abuse. Readers can peruse contributions from leaders in the field that depict recent efforts to address the complexity of these problems. This book is a valuable addition to the libraries of researchers, clinicians, and students who are interested in issues related to the treatment and prevention of the physical and sexual abuse of children. It will be especially useful to those already acquainted with the characteristics and consequences of child abuse, who will find their understanding of this topic broadened by its contributions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy.

Reviews the book, Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy by Laura Brown and Maria P. P. Root (1990). This is an exciting and compelling book, challenging to both feminists and clinicians who work with women. It focuses on appreciating, understanding, and building on the differences among women. While it describes and defines the principles of feminist therapy theory, it also incorporates those principles into the very way the book is written—that is, by authors who themselves come from a variety of ethnic heritages and cultural backgrounds and who discuss the impact of oppression and victimization through sexism, racism, and classism, white privilege, and homophobia on the diversity and complexity of women's lives. The goal of this book is to offer proactive perspectives on the development of antiracist and multicultural theories so that feminist therapy theory is "relevant to all women of color, non-North American women, and so on" (p. 18). The message conveyed throughout this book is that we must "guard against imposing our own personal contexts, whatever they may be, upon the meaning and realities of women different from ourselves" in our theories and in our therapies (p. 13). The goal is not only met overall in this book, but is consistently addressed within each of its chapters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The standard of social justice as a research process.

An empirical perspective is presented illustrating the application of the principles and methods of community psychology for conceptualizing the ideal of "social justice." The substantiative content of the paper is based on an analysis of the selective nature of sexual assaults which reach the criminal justice system, and in the disparity of sentences given to those found guilty, in comparison to other types of cases. These outcomes are proposed as operational definitions for conceptualizing the ideal of social justice. The application of this standard for cases of sexual assault suggests the justice system "discounts" the seriousness of these offenses, resulting in a legal doctrine which excuses male violence against women. Implications for law reform are proposed based on the need for an accommodation of the social/psychological concept of "difference" in the legal definition of sexual assault, and in the greater use of evaluation research as a process of legal scholarship for monitoring how well the ideal of social justice is achieved by the criminal justice system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual abuse victimization and the child witness in Canada: Legal, ethical, and professional issues for psychologists.

The Canadian legal system has made a number of significant reforms in the last few decades regarding the rights of child witnesses and, in particular, the rights of those who have disclosed sexual abuse. This paper provides an overview of the law in Canada as it pertains to child sexual abuse victims and witnesses, and reflects on the role and responsibilities of psychologists who work with child witnesses. It reviews the effects of protection reforms and preparation programs on children who must testify, examines some of the current major issues in the research literature in the area of interviewing and assessing sexually abused children, and considers the role of the psychologists as expert witness in court. In addition, it discusses potential ethical dilemmas for psychologists who work with child witnesses, and proposes recommendations for research and clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preventing violence in relationships: Psychological science addressing complex social issues.

This paper traces the development of a universal violence prevention initiative from its early roots in the dynamics of child abuse developmental psychopathology. My research has been devoted to preventing violence in relationships, including physical and sexual abuse of children, children who witness domestic violence, woman abuse, and dating violence in adolescence. A central theme throughout this work has been to integrate psychological knowledge about healthy, non-violent relationships with knowledge of risk factors for abuse and violence. As laws and public sentiment have challenged the generations- old status quo of family privacy and personal rights, psychology has risen to this challenge by studying aspects of abuse and violence in the lab, in analog situations, in the home, and in the clinic. This paper reflects how knowledge about the causes and consequences of violence in relationships is leading to promising educational and prevention initiatives such as the Fourth R, a universal school-based initiative aimed at early adolescence to reduce relationship violence and related risk behaviours. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Links between sisters' sexual and dating victimization: The roles of neighborhood crime and parental controls.

This study examined the extent to which a sister's prior sexual and dating victimization is a risk factor for young women being similarly victimized and the possible factors underlying a co-occurrence. The sample involved 122 young adult Latina or African American sister pairs (244 women; ages 16–25) who resided in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Results indicated that women whose sisters had been victimized had increased risk of victimization even after controlling for neighborhood crime, parental controls, age and race–ethnicity (odds ratios were 4.0 for unwanted touching, 6.2 for a forced sex act, and 16.7 for dating violence). In high-crime neighborhoods, the presence of two adult parent figures in the home was associated with women's reduced likelihood of unwanted touching, and mothers' high monitoring during adolescence was associated with women's lower risk of dating aggression. Survival analysis results showed that the risk period of a second sister being victimized lasts between 7 and 10 years after a first sister's victimization. The prevention implications of study findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Come here: A man overcomes the tragic aftermath of childhood sexual abuse.

Reviews the book, Come here: A man overcomes the tragic aftermath of childhood sexual abuse by Richard Berendzen, with Laura Palmer. Berendzen, former president of American University in Washington, D.C. was both the perpetrator and the victim of a psychosexual tragedy. This autobiography, however, focuses only on his own tragedy: his mother's sexual abuse of him. It completely ignores the tragic consequences of his own frightening, obscene phone calls which he admits making to 10-15 women who had placed ads in newspapers to provide child care. Although Berendzen states in his book that the fact that he was a victim of childhood sexual abuse does not excuse his crimes, he nonetheless repeatedly describes the terroristic phone calls as the result of a "compulsion" and "impulse." One of the women to whom Berendzen made repeated calls cooperated with the police to catch him, and his world fell apart. The rest of the book describes his resultant trials, humiliation, and grief as he faced his family, members of the American University community, the press and, briefly noted, the criminal justice system. Berendzen agonizes throughout much of this book with self-pitying, but moving, pathos over the consequences of his detection to his own life and career, as well as his family's and university's well-being. But nowhere does he agonize about the effect that terrorizing phone calls detailing child sexual abuse could have on women charged with watching children, women who may have vulnerable children themselves. This book may have been therapeutic for Berendzen, but it has left one of his victims, who says she "was doing pretty well until this came up," shaken again. Still, the book is significant and valuable, for therapists and the general public, for the lessons learned between the lines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Behavioral scientists in courts and corrections.

Reviews the book, Behavioral scientists in courts and corrections by James T. Ziegenfuss Jr. (1985). Ziegenfuss has put together a systematic account of the activities of behavioural scientists in courts and corrections in a manner that is both coherent and impressive. The book succeeds in its goal of linking law and behavioural science largely because Ziegenfuss provides powerful examples and numerous case studies that illustrate concretely the applications that are possible in the psychology/law interface. Ziegenfuss had three main objectives for the book: to define the functions of behavioural scientists in courts and corrections, to illustrate how these functions contribute meaningfully to court and correctional organizations, and to provide behavioural scientists with an understanding of their potential contributions. Generally, these three objectives are well met. Nevertheless, there are some omissions that are surprising. Although there are several things that I would like to have seen in this book (e.g., a discussion of the law and economics movement), the most conspicuously absent features are discussions of training and discussions of ethics. In fairness to Ziegenfuss, training and ethical issues were not a part of his explicitly stated purposes in the book. I recommend this book for behavioural scientists who are working or intend to work in the legal system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The Persistent Problems of Psychology.

Reviews the book, The Persistent Problems of Psychology by Robert B. MacLeod (see record 1976-25095-000). This book demonstrates the relevance of historical inquiry to the contemporary study of psychological issues. The exposition is direct enough to make this book an excellent introduction for those who are new to the history of psychology. The depth of MacLeod's scholarship makes this relevant and interesting reading for people already acquainted with the subject. The book is organized so as to elaborate on persistent substantive and methodological themes as they have emerged in successive historical periods. The persistent problems of psychology provides a sensitive and scholarly introduction to the history of psychology. More important, it gives an intellectual framework within which to think about historical and systematic psychological issues. Above all, MacLeod believed in dialogue and debate. This book is his invitation to reconsider and re-examine current fashionable conceptions of psychology against the views and perspectives of the past. This is most practical advice. The persistent problems of psychology transcend any particular manifestation. In the study of these past forms, we glimpse something of psychology's inevitable intellectual future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The law, standards of practice, and ethics in the practice of psychology.

Reviews the book, The law, standards of practice, and ethics in the practice of psychology by David R. Evans (see record 1997-36222-000). The strength of this book, as the title suggests, is its focus on Canadian law, legal precedent, and ethical standards. The book covers, among other things, informed consent, confidentiality, assessment and treatment of children and adults, custody and access assessments, assessment of young offenders and treatment of correctional clients, the practitioner as expert witness, and malpractice. This text is destined to become a standard, and because the law is constantly changing as cases set new precedents, it will have to be revised on a regular basis. In that context, I offer some minor criticisms that are intended to be possibilities for making the text stronger in future revisions: I would suggest that an index of names be added to the present subject index, and an index of the Canadian legal cases cited. At present these cases are merely referenced after each chapter without the page numbers that one would get in an index. There are appendices after most chapters (I counted 14 separate appendices). Next time around, Evans might consider adding a list of appendices, with hints about their contents, after the table of contents. These criticisms aside, laudatory reviewers sometimes say "all psychologists (lawyers, doctors, etc.) should have this book on their shelves." In the case of this new book on legal and ethical rules concerning the practice of psychology in Canada, I can make that claim without hyperbole. For Canadian psychologists, particularly those who transact business with the public, this book is essential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents": Correction.

Reports an error in "Review of Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents" by Francine Lavoie (Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 2001[Nov], Vol 42[4], 330-331). In the biographical note following the review of Sandra Wieland's Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents (Canadian Psychology, 2001, 42(4), p. 330), the author was identified as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa. In fact, Dr. Wieland's appointment at the University of Ottawa ended in 1997. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2007-17043-001.) Reviews the book, Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents by Sandra Wieland (1998). Sandra Wieland's second book deals with difficulties faced by all kinds of therapists when dealing (in therapy) with young victims of sexual abuse. This book is unusual in that it emphasizes intervention over theory. It is based on clinical experience and includes a large number of excerpts from interviews. Another unusual aspect is the importance Wieland gives to adolescent experience. Basically, the book has four parts. The first part is a reiteration of the theoretical trauma model; the second deals with techniques; the third involves individual challenges corresponding to dissociation, sexuality, and resistance. In the fourth part, 15 adolescents and young adults present their point of view on what hindered and what helped their therapy. The techniques described have rarely been written about before, which makes this book highly interesting. This book stands out for its great sensitivity and understanding of children. It offers solid and imaginative approaches for caseworkers, as well as a wealth of information on methods seldom discussed elsewhere. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 43(1) of Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne (see record 2007-16926-001). In the biographical note following the review of Sandra Wieland's Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents (Canadian Psychology, 2001, 42(4), p. 330), the author was identified as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa. In fact, Dr. Wieland's appointment at the University of Ottawa ended in 1997.] Reviews the book, Techniques and issues in abuse-focused therapy with children and adolescents by Sandra Wieland (1998). Sandra Wieland's second book deals with difficulties faced by all kinds of therapists when dealing (in therapy) with young victims of sexual abuse. This book is unusual in that it emphasizes intervention over theory. It is based on clinical experience and includes a large number of excerpts from interviews. Another unusual aspect is the importance Wieland gives to adolescent experience. Basically, the book has four parts. The first part is a reiteration of the theoretical trauma model; the second deals with techniques; the third involves individual challenges corresponding to dissociation, sexuality, and resistance. In the fourth part, 15 adolescents and young adults present their point of view on what hindered and what helped their therapy. The techniques described have rarely been written about before, which makes this book highly interesting. This book stands out for its great sensitivity and understanding of children. It offers solid and imaginative approaches for caseworkers, as well as a wealth of information on methods seldom discussed elsewhere. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Introduction to psychology and law: Canadian perspectives.

Reviews the book, Introduction to psychology and law: Canadian perspectives by Regina A. Schuller and James R. P. Ogloff (see record 2001-06385-000). The book begins with an introduction by the editors underscoring the breadth of applications of psychology in legal forums and describing the well-known history of this field, along with the inevitable tension that exists between the disciplines of psychology and law. Standard ethical issues facing psychologists in this intersection are also explored. The introduction is followed by a chapter by Gordon Rose, which gives a ready overview of the Canadian legal system and typical procedures in criminal and civil actions. This information is an essential foundation for understanding the environment into which psychology must fit. The subsequent 12 chapters are collected in three sections relating to criminal procedure, forensic clinical psychology, and forensic civil psychology. Most chapters begin with a Canadian case vignette and conclude with four discussion questions that arise from the chapter material. These questions will be very useful as a regular component of class participation. This book presents a balanced balanced mix of experimental and clinical psychological information to be applied to the law covered by the text. With few exceptions, such as in the case of young offenders issues, the range of topics covered is adequate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Victimization and substance abuse among women: Contributing factors, interventions, and implications.

Although the literature indicates that there is an association of victimization with substance abuse, there has been limited research focused on understanding and synthesizing the factors that have been identified as contributing to victimization and substance abuse and on interventions designed to address these contributing factors. The purposes of this article are to (a) review the literature on factors related to victimization and substance abuse, (b) review interventions and outcomes, and (c) discuss clinical implications for interventions and research. Results suggest that there is a high rate of co-occurrence of victimization and substance abuse among women, that the factors contributing to victimization and substance abuse are complex, and that there is a lack of treatment models addressing victimization and substance abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)