Handbook of Family Violence

In the last decade there has been heightened clinical and investigative activity in the area of family violence. This, of course, is partly attributable to recent surveys showing a high incidence of family violence in the United States. For example, there are indications that nearly 30% of married women in this country are victims of physical abuse by spouses at some point in their marriage. Further, FBI statistics show that approximately 13% of all homicides are husband-wife killings. Moreover, it has been projected that such figures are likely to increase over the next several years. Consistent with these trends, funding of family violence research by both federal and private agencies has increased. Indeed, federal agencies, such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, have provided considerable support for work in this area. In addition, family violence, particu­ larly wifebattering, child abuse, and sexual abuse of children has been the focus of media attention at the national level, and has generated intensive interest in both lay and profes­ sional publications. Moreover, there have been several recent governmental hearings and investigations regarding the prevalence of these problems.

I. Introduction.- 1. Overview.- II. Theoretical Models.- 2. Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Family Violence.- 3. Physical Aggression between Spouses: A Social Learning Theory Perspective.- 4. Sociological Perspectives in Family Violence.- III. Forms of Family Violence.- 5. Wife Battering.- 6. Physical Abuse of Children.- 7. Child Victims of Sexual Abuse.- 8. Incest.- 9. Marital Rape.- 10. Husband Battering.- 11. Elder Abuse.- 12. Family Homicide: When Victimized Women Kill.- IV. Special Issues.- 13. Violence among Intimates: An Epidemiological Review.- 14. Prevention of Wife Abuse.- 15. Neurological Factors.- 16. Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Family Violence.- 17. Domestic Abuse: The Pariah of the Legal System.- 18. Family Violence in Cross-Cultural Perspective.- 19. Research Issues Concerning Family Violence.- Author Index.