The Relationship between Battered Woman Syndrome, Parenting Competence, and Economic and Employment Status

Intimate partner violence is a worldwide phenomenon, which has extremely significant physical and psychological consequences for women. One of the prominent concepts that attempts to describe the psychological consequences of domestic violence on women was coined by Lenore Walker in 1979 and called the "Battered Woman Syndrome". This diagnosis includes the spectrum of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, in addition to the symptoms unique to women victims of violence - difficulties in interpersonal relationships, problems with body image and sexual dysfunction.

The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between this syndrome and the women’s parenting sense of competence and their economic and professional status, as well as to examine whether their economic and professional status moderate the relationship between the syndrome and the parenting sense of competence. A review of the literature shows that there are no studies examining the relationship between the "battered woman syndrome" and these variables. Alongside this, studies point to a relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and these variables.

The study is part of an international study and was conducted under the leadership of Lenor Walker. The questionnaire was drawn up together with the international research team. 121 women victims of domestic violence who are treated at violence prevention centers across the country participated in the study. The questionnaires to be filled out were delivered to the participants through the staff of the Centers for the Prevention of Violence.

The results of the study revealed that there was a significant negative relationship between the frequency of physical attacks and difficulties in interpersonal relationships as well as a significant positive relationship between the frequency of mental abuse and post-traumatic symptoms. Also, a significant negative relationship was found between three of the indicators of the battered woman syndrome - difficulties in interpersonal relationships, problems with body image and post-traumatic symptoms, and the level of the parenting sense of competence. However, no significant relationship was found between the battered woman syndrome and the woman's income level. As for the employment status, no significant relationships were found between this and the other research variables, with the exception of a significant negative relationship of sexual dysfunction. In the summary model that was tested to examine the combined contribution of research variables to the parenting sense of competence, a contribution of 30% was found in explaining the variance. The research variables - difficulties in interpersonal relationships and problems with body image are significant in explaining the variance in parenting sense of competence. Thus, the more the women experienced greater difficulties in interpersonal relationships and problems with body image, the more their parenting sense of competence decreased. Regression analysis was examined but no clear result was found.

The current study for the first time puts a spotlight on the "battered woman syndrome" and the relationship between the syndrome and indicators that may significantly affect women's lives, even after the end of a violent marital partnership. It expands the understanding regarding the relationship between the components of the syndrome and the woman's parenting, with an emphasis on interpersonal relationships and body image. It also reinforces previous studies regarding the relationship between post-traumatic symptoms and parenting, and regarding the relationship between mental abuse and post-traumatic symptoms.

This knowledge could raise awareness of the unique mental state of women victims of violence and early diagnosis, enabling the building of an appropriate treatment protocol and promoting their mental well-being by also building intervention programs in the community

that strengthens interpersonal relationships and woman's body image, as well as the parental aspect and their economic and professional situation.