PERCEPTIONS OF CONTROL, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY, AND SELF-ESTEEM OFWOMEN IN TRANSITION FROM ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

The relation between women's histories of experiencing violence and cu rrent psychological health were examined. Locus of control, feelings o f personal power depressive symptomatology, self-esteem, and judgments of control over a contingently responsive computer display were inves tigated in groups of 21 abused women and 18 comparison women. Within t he sample of abused women, relationships between severity of abuse and the psychological variables were also examined. The group of abused w omen had lower beliefs in self-efficacy, were more depressed, and had lower self-esteem than the comparison women. There were no differences found, however between the two groups in perceptions of control on th e computer task. Severity of physical abuse among the abused women was positively correlated with depression scores. Verbal abuse was found to contribute significantly to many of the between-group differences. Empirical evidence of the positive impact of transition house residenc e on the abused women's mental health was also presented. The importan ce of future research into both the differential effects of verbal and physical abuse on women and the role of the transition house in empow ering abused women were discussed.