Trauma and Physical Health : Understanding the Effects of Extreme Stress and of Psychological Harm

Trauma Research And Clinical Practice Have Taught Us Much About The Widespread Problems Of Child Maltreatment, Partner Violence, And Sexual Assault. Numerous Investigations Have Documented Links Between Such Trauma Exposure And Long-term Negative Mental Health Consequences. As We Learn More About Traumatic Stress, However, Increasing Attention Has Been Drawn To The Less Studied Physical Health Effects Of Maltreatment And Trauma. Trauma And Physical Health Describes Both The Negative Physical Health Effects Of Victimization In Childhood As Well As Exploring Theoretical Models That Explains These Links. By Bringing Together New And Current Studies On The Relationship Between Trauma And Physical Health, This Edited Collection Assesses The Clinical Implications Of These Links. At A Time When The Mental Health Field Is Becoming Increasingly Cognizant Of The Value Of Collaboration With Professionals In The Physical Health Arena, This Book Suggests Ways In Which Clinicians Can Work With Primary Care Professionals To Better Meet The Needs Of Trauma Survivors Across The Lifespan. A Key Focus Of The Text Is To Clarify The Relationship Between The Current Knowledge Base In Trauma And Physical Health And Directions For Future Research In Primary Care Health Settings. With Contributors From A Wide Range Of Clinical And Psychological Disciplines, It Will Be Of Interest To Researchers, Clinicians And Professionals In The Trauma Field And To Primary Care Professionals Concerned With Compassionate Care For The Traumatized. Despite changes to laws and policies across most western democracies intended to combat violence to women, intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) remains discouragingly commonplace. Domestic Violence and Psychology: Critical Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse showcases women's harrowing stories of living with and leaving violent partners, offering a psychological perspective on domestic violence and developing a theoretical framework for examining the context, intentions and experiences in the lives of people who experience abuse and abuse themselves. Nicolson provides an analysis of survivors' real-life stories, and thoughts about IPVA. The attitudes of the general public and health and social care professionals are also presented and discussed. The theoretical perspective employs three levels of evidence -the material (context), discursive (explanations) and intrapsychic (emotional). Domestic Violence and Psychology is divided into three parts accordingly, engaging qualitative data from interviews and quantitative data from surveys to illustrate these theoretical perspectives. Although many pro-feminist sociologists and activists firmly believe that any attempt to explain domestic violence potentially condones it, this book takes up the challenge to make a compelling case demonstrating how we need to widen understanding of the psychology of survivors and their intimate relationships if we are to defeat IPVA. The new edition has been updated to include the latest developments in IPVA research and practice, and in particular examines the impact of a violent and abusive family life on all members, including children. This is essential reading for students, academics and professionals interested in domestic abuse, as well as professionals and practitioners, including psychologists, social workers, the police, prison officers, probation staff, policy makers, and charity workers