Prevalence of Stigma and Shame The psychological characteristics of a battered woman are similar to that of a hostage. The effects of the abuse are the result, not the reason, of a life-threatening relationship. The characteristics that a battered woman develops in reaction to her abuse may include low self-esteem, guilt, acceptance of blame, feelings of helplessness (Wilson, 2014). Low self-esteem. It takes effort daily for many women to preserve an optimistic sense of self. Women internalize the sexism that infuses our society. The struggle with self-importance becomes harder for women with abusive partners. Demeaning and using shame is one of the key ways a batterer retains power and control. Eventually she will begin to believe her partners criticisms (Wilson, 2014).
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Feeling like a failure increases and adds to the feeling of guilt. Battered women ask themselves if there was anything they could have done to make him change. Guilty feelings will wear away their self-esteem and create a cycle of self-blame, guilt, and anger (Wilson, 2014). Acceptance of blame. A batterer works diligently to convince the woman that the abuse is her fault using excuses such as dinner being too early or too late, crying children, laundry was not done correctly and many others. By accepting responsibility for her partner’s behavior, it becomes easy for her to believe that she can change the behavior if she becomes a superior wife, mother, or cook (Wilson, 2014). Feeling helpless. Women begin to display passivity, submissiveness, dependency, and the inability to think or make decisions after constant abuse. These characteristics are more like defense mechanisms to stay alive (Wilson, 2014).
The Effect of Domestic Violence on Physical and Mental
Feeling like a failure increases and adds to the feeling of guilt. Battered women ask themselves if there was anything they could have done to make him change. Guilty feelings will wear away their self-esteem and create a cycle of self-blame, guilt, and anger (Wilson, 2014). Acceptance of blame. A batterer works diligently to convince the woman that the abuse is her fault using excuses such as dinner being too early or too late, crying children, laundry was not done correctly and many others. By accepting responsibility for her partner’s behavior, it becomes easy for her to believe that she can change the behavior if she becomes a superior wife, mother, or cook (Wilson, 2014). Feeling helpless. Women begin to display passivity, submissiveness, dependency, and the inability to think or make decisions after constant abuse. These characteristics are more like defense mechanisms to stay alive (Wilson, 2014).
The Effect of Domestic Violence on Physical and Mental