Source: Social Indicators Research, Vol. 78, No. 2 (Sep., 2006), pp. 327-340 Published by: Springer Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27522611 . Accessed: 15/03/2012 16:08
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Springer
2006
AMI AROKACH
ALIENATION AND DOMESTIC ABUSE: HOW ABUSED WOMEN COPE WITH LONELINESS
(Accepted 2 August 2005)
ABSTRACT. loneliness. from item ways Social activity. ently higher Religion KEY
This
study women,
Eighty the general who population loneliness yes/no questionnaire of coping with loneliness Reflection
explored victims
in which were
abused
women
in the and
abuse, compared no history A 34 of abusive relationships. to compare utilized in order the beneficial of The questionnaire is comprised samples. Self-development Religion indeed, abused and cope women and faith with understanding, Increased and loneliness differ
six factors,
namely
acceptance,
network,
and denial, Distancing confirmed that abused women, population and does. The
general
scored and
understanding,
Distancing
WORDS:
abuse,
domestic,
loneliness,
women
INTRODUCTION
Statistics crimes Mazur US, only dren Canada involved Abel that one-quarter of (2003) reported The is similar situation family violence. asserted that 4-6 million women all violent
that violence. Onyskiw the public realize how frequently adults and chil violence. She noted "the risk of targets of domestic from
a family member far outweighs the risk of a stranger" violence from experiencing (p. 117). The latest [2004] and well publicized, in Toronto of the possible of consequences example a man, with a lengthy history domestic abuse were provided when of experiencing violence armed with abuse, took a hostage succeeding, spousal a gun attempted to kill his wife and in the middle of downtown Toronto not in
328
midday
points were to U.S and Canadian
AMI AROKACH
(2002)
during
1985-1998 and revealed that between 8 and 14% of women of all ages
or ex-partner assaulted in by a husband, boyfriend physically ever having asked about the previous however when been as year, in the affirmative. saulted by a partner, Black up to 30% responded
(2004) noted
Canada, a threatening abuse with
1998-2002
partner concern
as a pressing is increasingly recognized public health women the lives and well-being of millions of American that such domestic abuse has year" (p. 237). They added been to applied abuse, battered abuse spousal
terms have Various consequences. the abuse of women; them are wife amongst domestic and violence, violence, family will
research (Mockler, 2000). The present as suggested abused women by Health is any "physical, sexual assault, abuse intimidation, degradation, by their intimate partners" physical including physical 1996). lence, emotional tions. injuries chronic Abused they Dionne, observed aspects injuries
the definition of adopt Canada that (1990) namely emotional and psychological
of women and/or deprivation exploitation abuse has been linked to (p. 1). Women
et al., to poor mental health 1992) (Cascardi and anxiety, and to a wide range of adverse depression et al., outcomes Plichta and Abraham, 1992; (Bergman et al. are out that aside from physical vio (2002) pointed to psychological also and subjected battering which have physical and mental health implica reported and 2002), nervous indicated anxiety head, chronic and abdominal face, neck health such as problems
Coker victims
suffered
system symptoms 1993). (Ratner, that as a consequence of their abuse, and depression and (Dutton-Douglas and Foy, 1991), and and a sense of
1991), that
(Houskamp
to domestic social recognition on the abused, an understanding of it's devastating and effects abuse, to provide services and support for those the dire need essential women who are able to exit those destructive gave rise relationships, to shelters for abused women.
LONELINESS Shelters
AND DOMESTIC
ABUSE
329
a arrive at during the place where abused women an oncoming a way abuse of avoiding crisis (Dzieglelewski are provided are temporary et al., 1996). Shelters which residences, women for abused and their children (Mockler, by the community Shelters are often as or 2000). These which accommodations, temporary provide for up to 6 weeks 2000). support and assistance (Mockler, in used broadly here and includes all be noted that "shelter" secure, residential facilities out on to Canada for abused that women and are their children. by a large often provide re the fewest was carried to pro some "shelters used are
an annual those
basis
and with
women
where
food, some group also provide money, they [and if needed, spending short term counseling. Statistics Canada individual] (2003) found that or shelters and of houses 6% of abused women stayed at transition these women who were left the abuser, 13% stayed to be particularly found critical and resources for at a transition for those women and house. who
Shelters have
support safety, security et al. (1999) noted, the social support 2000). As Goodman (Mockler, can get in such shelters that women "is a unique external resource, that a person may draw upon" of such a support (p. 429). Members may,
few alternatives
to Goodman et al. (1999) directly according replace lost resources, reaffirm which the may personal qualities positive women a sense have that they have, or may provide may 'forgotten' no one else is available to offer support. of belonging when network Being doorstep resources, abused terrorized of a shelter it stands on the and finding abuse herself by domestic women for other abused and without support to reason that loneliness is a salient feature of the
woman's not to
commonly rimental
Loneliness that is is a painful experience. experience has consequences embraced and which that are det one's
and emotional, physical spiritual well-being and Cacioppo, individuals 1990; Ernst (McWhirter, 1999). Lonely tend to score high on negative traits like pessimism intrapersonal (Davis et al., 1992; Ernst and Cacioppo, 1999), and are also strongly correlated with happiness (Booth et al., 1992) and life
negatively
330
satisfaction maladies
AMI AROKACH
et al., 1993). Loneliness has been linked to such (Riggio as depression, and poor alcoholism, hostility, self-concept, illnesses studies suggest psychosomatic (McWhirter, 1990). Recent that a large proportion feel of the population lonely frequently (Rokach and Brock, and 1997). Loneliness has been linked et al., hostility anxiety, interpersonal (Hansson to health problems creased vulnerability (Jones et al., to suicide Medora and Woodward, 1982; (Cutrona, that loneliness results (1988) observed and situational sonal factors constraints. associated Since with to depression, 1986), to an in 1990), and even
domestic
American
one encounters. the changing circumstances which violence is such a growing in the North problem are suffering but are shunned society, and since the abused
of us, loneliness is no doubt their loyal companion. In light by most on loneliness, reason to of Rook's it stands that (1988) observation the abused would and cope with, in different loneliness experience, then the rest of society. The present ways study aimed at examining how abused the general experience without population women loneliness a history to women in comparison of abusive relationships. in
METHOD
Participants One liness hundred and sixty four women women volunteered were to answer by without Table the lone shelters as
questionnaire. Eighty and 84 were from the general abused, dence of abuse in their part or present a more of age, detailed breakdown within Walker marker
identified
each group. The study was carried out only on women since, as that "the single most risk (1999) so aptly observed powerful a victim of violence for becoming is to be a woman" (p. 23).
Procedure were asked to reflect Participants and to endorse those items which They took approximately 15 mins on their past loneliness experiences it. how described they coped with to answer the questionnaire. In an
LONELINESS
ABUSE
331
Population
TV3 Marital
status Divorced 11
Education
M 13.06
M
29.51
SD
6.42
(13%)
38
(4-16)b
12.41
9.90
(48%)
49
(6-17)
12.78
13.69
0\83
(54%) (15%)
(30%)
(4-17)
F(I,,45)
up
due
to missing
data.
to overcome the methodological attempt on college which relied solely students the general 1987; McWhirter, 1990), recruited recruited women which from from which in urban were the where Canadian centers in high schools, universities in a number recruited general population the participants that were to allow included They were
of
other
studies
and Grabosky, were participants life. They were malls. The abused of city from
of
The
approached by us to conduct the study in their who volunteered and were if they asked would to volunteer be suffered
assured refused
consequences
Questionnaire the questionnaire previous Brock, were and were by the author loneliness 1990; (Rokach, is composed of six questionnaire written on 1, Refection described being and acceptance by one's self to
research
332
become quently, acquainted accepting with
AMI AROKACH and needs; and conse fears, wishes and its resultant one's loneliness 2, pain; Factor and understanding the increased self-inti (5%) one's and growth Factor which focused are often or the results of active of receiving groups profes Social support network the 3, (4%) can help one feel network which support Factor and denial 4, Distancing by others;
support; of social re-establishing to and valued connected denial of the experience and pain of loneliness (3%) by alcoholism, and other deviant Factor and behaviors; 5, Religion drug abuse, a divine to connect to and worship the need faith (3%) entity. affiliation with a religious and practicing its faith one group Through can gain
in organized
inner peace, and a sense of community and strength, and Factor Increased active pursuit of 6, activity (3%) belonging; as well as fun-filled or group activities, daily responsibilities solitary thus maximizing one's social contacts A for sample (see Appendix items). scores Each are of the six factors the sum of a subscale comprised items which they endorsed and participants' in each subscale.
the original and Brock, Although 1998) in questionnaire (Rokach its length, cluded 86 items, due to participants' about past feedback in each it was shortened and only the six highest items loading a total of the questionnaire subscale were included included; hence, 34 items (factor 3 includes only 4 items). Each factor was a subscale scores are the sum of items in the questionnaire and participants' in each subscale A for sample endorsed they (see Appendix items). were Kuder-Richardson internal reliabilities calculated consistency = the values: and 0.62; Fi=0.71; F2 yielded following alpha = = = 0.59. K-R for the 34 item 0.46; F4 0.63; F5-0.57; F6 F3 alpha questionnaire was .81.
RESULTS
Table tional I illustrates level within with the breakdown each group. of age, marital status, and educa was of all participants average age 14 and 78. The mean between level of The
30 years education Of
ages ranging was 12 with a range of 4 to 17. (i.e. last grade completed) the participants, 30% have had a 54% were 15% married, single, but were no longer in it due to separation, divorce or
relationship
TABLE
Comparing mean subscale scroes of
II
loneliness coping strategies
Population
TV*
Reflection
and acceptance
Social
support work net
Distancing
and denial
ing M Gp Abused
Total
SD
1.66 1.78 1.74
M
0.45 1.10
SD
0.86 1.35
M
1.77 1.95 1.86 F 0.44
SD
1.80 1.60 1.70 " (1,162)
M
0.50 1.08 0.78 F (1,162): 10.11**
SD
0.78 1.41 1.17
84 79 163
F(6,155) 3.94**
0.77
F = (1,162) 13.65***
1.17
MANCOVA1
*/?<0.05; Marital
***/><0.001. covaried.
334
death
was found between of a spouse. No difference significant on age and education, two samples status was though marital nificant in further analyses. and was, thus, covaried
A MANCOVA
loneliness between
= groups 3.94; p<0.0l). [F (6,155) were were found then calculated. ANCOVA's differences Significant = on the Self-development and understanding 13.65; (F (1,162) and denial and 10.11; p<.01), />< 0.001), Distancing (F (1,162)= = faith (F (1,162) and The abused 5.18; p< 0.05) subscales. Religion mean scores than the general had consistently subscale sample higher the two
population
(Tabel II).
DISCUSSION
Being entail alone does not mean necessarily or social aloneness and to others, painful or valued lonely. Loneliness but more than isolation, of not belonging, experience being them may that it not
feeling et al., West could result self, and contrast, which has
be is
et al., 1984; (Russell by or welcomed if it is planned, wanted, 1986). Aloneness, in solitude which may enhance one's knowledge of one's a path to greater meaning in (Andre, 1991). Loneliness, a painful not embraced that is commonly and experience consequences that are detrimental to one's emotional,
physical,
and
spiritual well
being
1999;
who
loneliness.
with cope significantly differently in the general loneliness than their counterparts who population, In particular, have not undergone abuse. victims of domestic abuse scores on the Self-develop had subscale higher mean significantly and the Distancing understanding, and faith subscales. results are and denial and on the
ment
Religion These
study was collected where they were encouraged have been instructed violence, look after themselves
The data for intuitively expected. were housed women while the abused
to participate of in groups of victims on how to attend to their needs and been offered professional counseling
and have
ABUSE
335
very
activities
included to reason
and understanding, and it stands score higher than women would with the Distancing for a limited
subscale. Although cannot face time, by those who it has been repeatedly demonstrated themselves from even those out that are abused or hope subscale.
of domestic
abuse
distance
to them of
the abuser,
life for
them will
improve
abused
(Finamore,
women extent than
2000; Campbell,
to use
2002;
degree in general,
appear distancing the general population, and for some time, in dealing and their loneliness in
abuse and
had faith
subscale of the
the literature does not indicate population. Although or spirituality this group, it does stand to among religiosity that prayer, either individually (or if they are allowed by the in a place of worship, could help them cope not only with dominated, and alienated from others depressed but itmay also offer them one way 2002),
helpless,
2000; Campbell, at the time when with the searing pain of loneliness, they are so isolated but need, others. from, The present results indicated that abused women did not differ scores from the general popula in their mean subscale significantly on the Reflection tion and acceptance, Social and support network the Increased activities subscales. As Rokach the first (1998) noted, two subscales loneliness transcends are universally to cope with used above, and their usefulness in dealing with the pain of loneliness even cultural and in some instances back age gender, mentioned
(Mockler of coping
it stands to reason that neither grounds. Consequently, spousal abuse nor a checkered would interfere with the abuse victims' background use of reflection subscale solitary utilized support. The Increased activity of daily be it captured pursuit responsibilities, or group It appears activities. that the abused women had it to a degree to the general to similar in order population the active and reliance on social
336
address common their loneliness. of feature means
AMI AROKACH As Rokach the North and Sharma it is a (1996) noted and "fitting in" culture,
American
who
significantly
being busy. results of the present demonstrated investigation were victims of domestic lone abuse, cope with than women in who have not been differently This may assist shelters' workers when attending learned that those women For instance, having in cope with successfully loneliness] by engaging to be encouraged and understanding, they may [while old [and in shelters new make afterwards], in self and enroll friendships, and
development their
courses.
to understand be helped it, and they may it only on a short term basis, while they reorganize urged face their situation, the their lives, later they must and though it in a more loneliness that is its corollary and cope with appro to employ priate manner. the qualitative has was some The present investigation study is a preliminary of abused women, of loneliness and as aspects that future should be noted. could also and Firstly, replicate differentiate research but into such
sagging] to and shown how They may be encouraged, in religious side, to pray, or engage practices. to those women and denial may be helpful in
not only larger study with women who were physically, ther one
samples,
than examining as the present to explore research needs study has done. Future children the age of the abused women, whether stay with her having once sources which she of leaves income the abusive once situation, she left the family abuser, and having support, in effect the manner
she copes
with
loneliness.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank invaluable assistance Tricia Orzeck, contribution data Artem Safarov and Raan Matal?n for their
with
collection
Baiter's
LONELINESS
AND DOMESTIC
ABUSE
337
APPENDIX
with Loneliness Coping 1: Reflection and acceptance I turned loneliness into a time Sample for reflection
A
Items
Factor
(0.6 l)a
I came to accept how I felt (0.59) I tried to focus on what really mattered
I came to view being alone
to me
in life (0.59)
as an opportunity
social groups I attended (0.40) I went back to work after years of being at home (0.41) I sought professional help from a medical doctor (0.57)
I enrolled Factor I went in personal support parties at places to more 3: Social development network and social seminars (0.51)
functions
(0.63) would
I purposely built walls around myself (0.55) I avoided social functions (0.40) I drank alcohol to excess (0.58) I denied to myself that anything was wrong (0.48)
Factor 5: Religion sought answers I actively I sought and faith to make to my friends problems at my church (0.75) (0.56)
in prayer
I took up a new hobby (0.51) I took up a new sport (0.46) I got a part-time job (0.42) I immersed myself in work (0.53)
LThe factor loading of the item.
338
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Moore-West: Psychiatry 1986, 27, 'The effect pp. 351-363. of loneliness: A review
The
Institute
and Treatment
of
M3H
Toronto Canada E-mail:
4J9
Ontario
arokach@yorku.ca