Domestic Violence and Psychology: A Critical Perspective book by Paula Nicolson

This book rethinks the way psychological knowledge of domestic violence has typically been constructed. As well as being critical of the traditional 'woman blaming' stance, it is also at odds with the feminist position that men are wholly culpable for domestic abuse, and that violence in intimate relationships is caused by gender power relations. Instead, this book argues that by neglecting the emotions, experiences and psychological explanations for domestic violence, we fail those who suffer and thwart attempts to prevent future abuse.

In this book, Nicolson suggests that domestic violence needs to be discussed and understood on several different levels. It analyses the material contexts, including the resources and support networks available to the family and wider community, as well as looking at the physical impact of violence itself. It examines the discursive contexts, which take a more rhetorical and ideological stance, and view domestic violence as a social problem, through a gendered analysis. Lastly, it looks at the emotional the conscious and unconscious feelings such as guilt and shame that can affect the victim and the family both in the short and long term.

Drawing on the work of scholars including Giddens, Foucault, Klein and Winnicott, Domestic Violence and Psychology uses interview and survey data to illustrate its arguments and to develop a theoretical framework for examining the context, intentions and experiences of domestic abuse. It considers the psychological implications of domestic violence in the lives of the women in abusive relationships, the men who abuse, and the children who witness or suffer abuse. Those studying social and clinical psychology, social work, cultural studies, sociology and women's studies will find this book of great interest.
 
Read more