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Abstract
Battered Woman Syndrome is the psychological ramifications of being physically abused by a
husband or domestic partner. The cycle can be broken down into three stages: the "honeymoon
phase," in which the batterer treats the partner sweetly; the "tension buildup phase," in which the
batterer begins to show impatience and animosity toward the relationship; and the "violence
phase," in which the batterer physically assaults the partner. Attachment behavior, trauma, and
learned helplessness are central tenets in gaining a better understanding of the topic. The power
dynamics in the former relationship, the severity of the assault, and the intermittency of positive-
negative psychotherapy were all linked. Breaking the trauma chains can disrupt the cycle of
learned helplessness. Scripture gives several examples of evidence against violence and abuse.
Keywords: battered woman syndrome, attachment behavior, learned helplessness, trauma
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Battered Woman Syndrome: A Harsh Cycle
The psychological effects of being physically mistreated by a husband or domestic
partner are known as Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS). Posttraumatic stress disorder
symptoms, as well as acquired helplessness in connection to the abusive partner, are all part of
the syndrome. Domestic violence against women served a role in the development of this term;
nevertheless, it is now recognized that men can be victims of domestic abuse and display
symptoms of this syndrome. It is frequently marked by a cycle of violence. A cycle of violence is
a conceptual model that helps to understand why battering relationships continue to exist. The
cycle is divided into three recyclable stages: the "honeymoon phase," in which the batterer treats
the partner sweetly; the tension buildup phase, in which the batterer begins to display impatience
and animosity toward the relationship; and the violence phase, in which the batterer physically
assaults the partner. The honeymoon phase of a battering relationship shortens as the relationship
advances, whereas the period of tension and violence lengthens. Individuals must understand the
concepts around attachment behavior, trauma, and learned helplessness to gain a better
understanding of the subject.
Attachment Behavior
Frustration, assault, and atonement are all part of the Battered Woman Syndrome cycle.
Psychological stress, low self-esteem, and learned helplessness were among the repercussions of
this repeated mistreatment and its anticipation, according to Dutton and Painter (1993), eroding
motivation to leave the abusive relationship. The repercussions of such victimization, according
to the researchers, were similar to or identical to those of post-traumatic stress disorder: learned
helplessness, re-experiencing the trauma, intrusive recollections, generalized anxiety, reduced
self-esteem, and social withdrawal. Finally, “psychic numbing,” or diminished reactivity to the
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world, and widespread hyperarousal, which appear to be diametrically opposed emotional
responses, are common (Dutton & Painter, 1993, p. 614). Dutton and Painter (1993) also note
that researchers identified a secondary set of abuse consequences, including idealization of the
abuser, denial of danger, and repression of the victim's own rage. Dutton and Painter (1993)
conducted a study on BWS. The notion of battered woman syndrome was tested on 50 assaulted
women and 25 emotionally abused women who had just ended their relationships. Both groups
shared important characteristics of the condition, which were intertwined. The dynamic
characteristics of the past abusive relationship were strongly linked to these outcomes.
Intermittency is provided as a credible alternative to the concept that the major cause of the
disease is a cycle of violence. The predictability of exploitation was unaffected by the
intermittency parameter. The study's hypotheses were confirmed. Battered women experienced
three main features of the battered woman syndrome: heightened "paradoxical attachment" to the
batterer, increased rates of trauma symptoms, and low self-esteem (Dutton & Painter, 1993, p.
620). All of the symptoms were highly interconnected, establishing a syndrome that lasted at
least six months. Furthermore, the intermittency of positive-negative treatment, power dynamics
in the former connection, and the severity of the battering were all linked to the previously stated
effects.
According to Saavedra, Chapman, and Rogge (2010), a vast body of research has
revealed that people with insecure attachment styles encounter a variety of issues. Higher levels
of psychological discomfort, destructive behaviors during problem conversations, negative
behaviors during support interactions, lower relationship satisfaction, and relationship quality
falls over time have all been associated to attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance
(Saavedra et al., 2010). In a study of 1.7k online respondents, they looked at self-reported hostile
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conflict and mindfulness as potential moderators of the relationships between attachment and
relationship quality across time (Saavedra et al., 2010). Both attachment anxiety and avoidance
were linked to poorer levels of current relationship quality, and attachment avoidance was linked
to decreased relationship satisfaction over time, according to the findings (Saavedra et al., 2010).
The findings provided some support for attachment anxiety moderation hypotheses, but not for
attachment avoidance moderation. Hostile conflict attenuated the effect of attachment anxiety in
predicting relationship satisfaction, so that high hostile conflict and high attachment anxiety were
associated with relatively low current pleasure. Attachment behavior ultimately leads to holding
on to trauma and a diminished sense of self and pleasure.
Trauma
Spousal emotional abuse is a substantial problem, according to Reed and Enright (2006),
with roughly 35 percent of women reporting such abuse from a spouse or romantic partner
(O'Leary, 1999). Also, women frequently exhibit severe psychological repercussions long after
the abuse. Women who have been emotionally abused have harmful psychological consequences
long after the violent spousal relationship has ended. The most common condition linked to
intimate partner abuse (IPV) is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Johnson & Zlotnick, 2009).
PTSD is linked to significant impairment and a loss of resources, which can make it difficult for
a victim of domestic violence to maintain long-term safety for herself and her children in a safe
environment (Johnson & Zlotnick, 2009). According to Johnson & Zlotnick (2009), to treat
PTSD symptoms that may interfere with their capacity to access vital community resources and
build protection for themselves and their children, battered women should focus on stabilization,
safety, and empowerment.
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Reed and Enright's (2006) conducted a study that compared forgiveness therapy (FT)
with an alternative treatment (AT) for emotionally abused women who have been permanently
separated for two or more years. After being paired, yoked, and allocated to a therapy group,
participants met with the intervener independently. The effectiveness of FT and AT were
assessed. Depression, trait anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, self-esteem, forgiveness,
environmental mastery, and finding meaning in adversity all improved much more in FT
participants than in AT participants, with the gains lasting. The delayed rehabilitation of post-
relationship mentally damaged women is impacted by FT (Reed & Enright, 2006). Breaking the
chains of trauma can break the cycle of learned helplessness.
Learned Helplessness
Psychotherapists often offer women with histories of physical abuse a dismal prognosis
for adaptive adjustment (Follingstad, 1980). According to Strube (1988), 1.8 million women are
beaten by their husbands each year, and roughly 30% of all couples record at least one violent
episode during their marriage. However, because of the possibility of underreporting, these
estimates are likely to underestimate the severity of the situation. Indeed, it has been estimated
that real-world estimates of physical abuse are closer to 50%-60%. (Strube, 1988). Although
some partners may only have one violent episode, for others, abuse is a serious, long-term issue.
Many women suffer in silence because they feel as though they are helpless in the situation.
Kiewitz et al. (2016) analyze the links between subordinates' perceptions of abusive
supervision, fear, defensive silence, and ultimately abusive supervision at a later time point,
using an approach-avoidance perspective. The researchers also take into account the
aggressiveness of subordinates and individual perceptions of a fearful climate in these projected
mediated relationships. They use data from three investigations utilizing varied sources and
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collected across multiple measurement intervals to evaluate a moderated mediation model. The
findings revealed: (a) a significant relationship between abusive supervision and subordinates'
fear; (b) second-stage moderation effects of subordinates' assertiveness and individual
perceptions of a climate of fear in the abusive supervision–fear–defensive silence relationship
(with lower assertiveness and higher levels of climate-of-fear perceptions exacerbating the
detrimental effects of fear caused by abusive supervision); and (c) a strong association between
abusive supervision and subordinates' fear (Kiewitz et al., 2016).
Conclusion
Psychotherapists frequently give women who have experienced physical violence a bleak
prognosis for adjusting to their new lives. Millions of women are abused by their spouses each
year, and many have at least one violent incident. The severity of the battering, the intermittency
of positive-negative therapy, and the power dynamics in the former connection were all linked to
the previously indicated outcomes of BWS. The cycle of learned helplessness can be broken by
breaking those chains of trauma. From a biblical perspective, scripture states that husbands
should love their wives and not be harsh with them (New International Version Bible, 2012,
Colossians 3:19). 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 notes that “love is patient and kind; love does not envy or
boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it
does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things” (New International Version Bible, 2012). There is a
multitude of verses that shows that God wants people to exude peace and love among others, not
hatred and abuse. He also says that “from oppression and violence he redeems their life..” (New
International Version Bible, 2012, Psalms 72:14). Although the abuse seems to be a cycle that
should be suffered in silence, the Lord will allow healing and peace to come to the victims.
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Forgiveness therapy allows people to forgive the abuser and themselves; thus, leaving that shell
of their past live unable to hurt them any longer.
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References
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supervision and defensive silence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(5), 731–742.
https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000074
Reed, G. L., & Enright, R. D. (2006). The effects of forgiveness therapy on depression,
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