Gender violence is a social scourge that still exists throughout the world. As a consequence of this type of violence within the couple, the battered woman syndrome has been identified. This syndrome refers to a disorder resulting from experiencing a situation of abuse on a recurring basis. Battered woman syndrome is associated with traumatic processes and is made up of a set of differentiated signs and symptoms. If you want to know more about this disorder and its characteristics, keep reading this Psychology-Online article: Battered woman syndrome: what it is and symptoms.
Battered woman syndrome: what it is
He battered woman syndrome It is a pathological adjustment disorder that occurs in women who have been exposed to repeated abuse and violence. It was first described in the 1980s by the psychologist Leonor Walkerwhich after years of research concluded that there are a series of signs and symptoms that are shared by women who have experienced abusive relationships with psychological, physical and/or sexual violence. Walker relied on two theories for the analysis and formulation of this syndrome; Seligman’s theory of learned helplessness and his own theory of the cycle of gender violence.
Theory of learned helplessness
The learned helplessness refers to a psychological state in which there is an inability to exercise control over the situation. This is because unpredictable stimuli or contexts are perceived as uncontrollable, so The person feels that they are unable to change a situation or behavior through their own behaviors. That is, a feeling of absolute lack of control over the environment is generated in the person; they believe that any effort they make to change circumstances is useless, that their behavior has no influence on the context, it is independent of their actions. This helplessness or learned helplessness results in the inhibition of behavior, paralysis and blockade of the ability to respond to aversive stimuli or situations.
Cycle of gender violence
Walker’s theory postulates that the violence to which women who are repeatedly exposed by their partners constitutes a cycle of abusea repetitive cycle that is made up of three phases different:
- Cumulative stress phase: In this phase there is a gradual escalation of tension that manifests itself through assaults verbal abuse, cruel or humiliating behavior, control behaviors towards women and even physical attacks considered minor. During this period the victim tries to calm her aggressor by behaving as he wants so as not to increase her irritation, just as he strives to be accommodating and please her. Sometimes, the victim uses anger reduction techniques, which if they work reinforce the idea that she is capable of controlling her partner’s behavior through her actions, she takes responsibility and blames them. In other cases, she may also employ psychological self-defense mechanisms to anticipate or avoid aggression.
- Acute abuse phase: hostility continues to increase until a moment arrives that is imminent and an outbreak of violence occurs, usually with physical and/or sexual abuse, serious, in addition to the psychological violence present in the previous phase. Feelings of fear and helplessness occur in the victim.
- Honeymoon phase: Also called the calm and reconciliation phase, it is characterized by the absence of tension and violence. The aggressor He shows remorse and apologizes, just as he is especially affectionate and kind to his partner through gifts and various considerations that serve to manipulate him. During this period the woman trusts her aggressor again and she really comes to believe that he can change, she even tries to help him. This phase is a positive reinforcement of the relationship that makes escape difficult her. After the honeymoon phase, tensions accumulate again, leading to the beginning of the cycle again. This explains the development of battered woman syndrome.
Symptoms of battered woman syndrome
Battered woman syndrome has been associated with , in fact of the six criteria described for this syndrome, the first three are shared with PTSD. The characteristics of battered woman syndrome are the following:
- Disturbing memories, recurrent and repetitive about the traumatic event. Reliving or re-experiencing the trauma.
- Hyperarousal, hypervigilance and high levels of anxiety. There are also symptoms of lack of concentration, irritability, insomnia, startles and/or exaggerated alarm responses.
- avoidance behaviors and emotional numbness, which manifests itself through the development of a depressive, dissociative disorder or through repression (suppression of anger towards the aggressor), minimization (they downplay the importance of the attacks they experienced) and denial (they do not admit having suffered abuse). ).
- Alterations in interpersonal relationshipswhich are conflictive due to the isolation she has experienced during the relationship, just as the woman who has experienced abuse feels that she has been abandoned by her close circle, which is why she feels resentment towards him and withdraws socially.
- Body image distortion Due to the consequences of abuse, it can sometimes lead to the development of a . There is also the presence of physical illnesses or somatic ailments such as headache or abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, alterations in menstruation, etc.
- sexual problemssince there is a loss of interest and rejection towards sex and sometimes disorders may arise such as the inability to reach orgasm, or the involuntary contraction of the muscles of the vagina that causes a lot of pain during sexual relations.
Consequences of battered woman syndrome
Experiencing a traumatic situation such as an abusive and abusive relationship can generate a series of damages or consequences in women with battered woman syndrome:
Paradoxical adaptation syndrome to domestic violence (ZAPAD)
Also called domestic stockholm syndrome, since sometimes victims protect and defend their aggressors, due to the bond of dependency, and blame and hold other external people or society responsible for their violent behavior. This syndrome that can develop consists of 4 phases differentiated:
- Trigger phase: It refers to disorientation, stress, depression and loss of references due to episodes of abuse.
- Reorientation phase: In this period, a search for social references and an alteration in both the perception of the situation and in their cognitive schemes are identified, which is why a feeling of guilt, a state of helplessness and passive resistance develop.
- Coping phase: This creates an assumption of the couple’s mental model and a search for managing the situation through psychological and physical protection resources.
- Adaptation phase: There is a projection of guilt towards the external context and a justification of the aggressor by holding society responsible for his aggressive behavior. A consolidation of learned helplessness is also identified in this phase through an identification process.
Helplessness or learned helplessness
It consists of a feeling of lack of control over one’s will and one’s own life, which is why one assumes behaviors of passivity and submission. This influences a decrease in perceived self-efficacy or the belief about one’s own abilities to solve and cope with problems, and there is also difficulty in making decisions.
Affected self-esteem
Feelings of failure, worthlessness, shame and guilt due to their diminished self-esteem. These emotions can lead to social isolation and withdrawal.
Psychopathology
Development of eating disorders, depressive disorders, or dissociative disorders.
Substance use
There may be a development of addictive behaviors and drug abuse as a consequence of the abuse experienced; alcohol is the most consumed substance followed by cocaine and amphetamines.
Autolytic behaviors
In the most extreme cases, self-harming or suicidal behaviors may develop.
Hopelessness
Generalized pessimism, feelings of hopelessness towards the world that is perceived as threatening and painful. This negativity also makes it difficult and hinders the ability to recognize any success.
Battered woman syndrome: treatment
Despite the seriousness of the effects of abuse on women, today there are three types of treatments that are effective in the recovery process of victims of gender violence:
- Feminist therapy
- trauma therapy
- Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program (STEP)
These treatments for battered woman syndrome can be applied both individually and in groups and with or without medication. Throughout this rehabilitation process, the appearance of different psychological phases is common:
- Denial: cognitive distortion through which the woman denies having suffered abuse, including herself, through resistance, excuses and minimization.
- Culpability: In this phase there is a recognition of the problem, but the victim, mistakenly, identifies herself as responsible for the violence and abuse suffered.
- Illustration: The woman no longer assumes responsibility for the abuse and does not consider that anyone deserves to suffer this violence, there is no justification for it.
- Responsibility: acceptance of the guilt of his aggressor, liberation and struggle to rebuild and take control of his own life.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Curbelo, J.L. (2017). The battered woman syndrome and its relationship with the educational processes of their children (Doctoral dissertation, University of León).
- Navarro, E., & Alban, R. (2014). Relationship between “woman victim of domestic violence” and “battered woman syndrome” in Trujillo, Peru. Science and Technology Magazine10(3), 159-169.
- Walker, L. E. (2012). The battered woman syndrome. Bilbao: Desclee de Brouwer.