ABSTRACT
Seeing domestic violence and abuse through a psychological lens can entail considering violence as a trauma and being concerned with its potential effect on mental health. As a traumatic event, domestic violence can be described as severe. It commonly persists over time, contains multiple types of violence, and takes place within a significant relationship, which may limit the possibility to escape and involve betrayal. Mental health consequences of domestic violence can be severe and complex, sometimes including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and/or substance abuse disorders. For children, an additional problem is that domestic violence may interfere with their development and attachment. Cross-cultural research may elucidate the role of culture in domestic violence prevalence, mental health risk and coping.
Not all survivors struggle with symptoms of mental health problems, and certain risk and protective factors may increase or decrease the risk. One potent risk factor for mental health problems is shame. As a social emotion, shame relates to negative beliefs and assumptions about violence and victims held by their social surroundings. Shame is thus not only a characteristic of the individual victim, but also of her/his social group, and society at large.
The severity of potential mental health problems after experiences with violence means that many survivors may need psychological treatment. Various trauma-treatment models are effective in reducing symptoms. However, treatment is not available for all. New innovations, including online modules, show promise in making treatment more available for victims.
