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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
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)