Domestic Violence and Stress Flashcards
What are the four phases of the cycle of abuse?
Tension-Building Phase: Stress and tension build within the relationship, leading to a sense of unease or fear.
Incident (Abuse) Phase: The abuser commits acts of violence or abuse, which may be physical, emotional, or psychological.
**Reconciliation Phase: **The abuser apologizes, gives excuses, denies the abuse, or minimizes its severity, creating false hope for the victim.
Calm Phase (Honeymoon): A temporary period of peace where the abuser acts kindly, and the relationship seems to return to normal, restarting the cycle.Tension-building, abuse, reconciliation, and a return to tension.
Why do victims struggle to leave abusive relationships?
The reconciliation phase offers false hope, making it harder to leave.
What is the cycle of violence, and how is it learned?
Abusers often experienced violence as children, normalizing abusive behavior through learned patterns.
How does substance abuse relate to domestic violence?
Alcohol and drugs exacerbate violence but are not the root cause.
Do most domestic abusers have mental illnesses?
No, most abusers do not fit profiles of mental illness; their aggression is often selective and controlled.
What is learned helplessness in the context of domestic violence?
Prolonged abuse diminishes victims’ ability to resist or leave, leading to feelings of powerlessness.
What barriers do victims face when leaving abusive relationships?
Fear of retaliation, financial dependence, social ostracism, and cultural stigma.
What risks do children face when exposed to domestic violence?
Increased risks of emotional and behavioral issues, and repeating cycles of abuse.
Why do victims often attempt to leave multiple times?
Fear, limited resources, and systemic inequalities make it challenging to break free permanently.
Why is “loss of control” a myth in understanding abusers?
Abusers target specific individuals and choose when and where to act violently.
What does the family conflict model incorrectly assume about domestic violence?
It assumes both partners contribute equally to violence, ignoring premeditated patterns by abusers.
Are most abusers mentally ill?
No, domestic violence behaviors do not align with mental illness profiles, and aggression is often deliberate.
What role does early education play in preventing domestic violence?
Teaching healthy relationships, respect, and conflict resolution from a young age helps prevent abuse.
What is the purpose of the Power and Control Wheel?
To help victims recognize abusive patterns, including emotional, financial, and psychological abuse.
How do societal norms perpetuate domestic violence?
Gender inequality and cultural values that tolerate abuse reinforce these behaviors.
What systemic supports are essential for victims of domestic violence?
Financial and legal assistance, safe shelters, and mental health services.
How does gender inequality contribute to domestic violence?
Power imbalances between men and women reinforce abusive behaviors.
Why are cultural norms significant in the context of domestic violence?
Some cultures tolerate or justify domestic violence as a means of maintaining control.
What are the four components of Hill’s ABC-X Model?
A (Stressor), B (Resources), C (Perception), X (Crisis).
How does the Double ABC-X Model differ from the original ABC-X Model?
It accounts for the pile-up of stressors and adaptation over time.
What are the key dimensions of the Circumplex Model?
Cohesion, flexibility, and communication.
How can family stress theories be applied in practice?
They guide interventions by identifying stressors, family strengths, and communication patterns.
What are examples of intimidation tactics used by abusers?
Threatening looks, destroying property, or displaying weapons.
How do abusers use isolation as a control tactic?
By limiting where victims go and who they interact with, cutting them off from support systems.
What is economic abuse in domestic violence?
Controlling a victim’s access to money, preventing them from working, or withholding financial resources.
How do abusers use children as a tactic of control?
By threatening to take children away or using them to manipulate the victim.
What is the purpose of minimizing, denying, and blaming in abuse?
To make light of the abuse, deny it occurred, or shift the blame onto the victim.
How did Hill view stressors in the ABC-X Model?
Stressors were seen as normative, not inherently positive or negative, providing opportunities for growth if handled effectively.
What is the “pile-up of stressors” in the Double ABC-X Model?
The accumulation of concurrent or sequential stressors, such as a child’s birth coinciding with a job relocation and a family member’s illness.
What does the Circumplex Model emphasize about stress?
That stress does not necessarily lead to abuse or dysfunction and can strengthen family relationships if managed well.
What is cohesion in the Circumplex Model?
he level of emotional and physical connectedness within the family, ranging from disengaged to enmeshed.
What is flexibility in the Circumplex Model?
The family’s adaptability to changing roles and rules, ranging from rigid to chaotic.
