People with mental health problems are more likely to be a victim of domestic violence than the general population. This text offers practical guidance on how mental health professionals can identify and respond to domestic violence experienced by their patients.

Too prevalent to ignore : violence against women, its prevalence, and health consequences / García-Moreno, C., Stockl, H. -- Gender-based violence in the Middle-East : a review / Madi Skaff, J. -- Violence against women in Latin America / Gaviria A., S.L. -- Violence against women in south Asia / Niaz, U. -- Violence against women in Europe : magnitude and the mental health consequences described by different data sources / Helweg-Larsen, K. -- Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for mental health in South Africa / Jewkes, R. -- Intimate partner violence and mental health / Oram, S., Howard, L.M. -- Sexual assault and women's mental health / Martin, S.L., Parcesepe, A.M. -- Child sexual abuse of girls / MacMillan, H.L., Wathen, C.N. -- Sexual violence and armed conflict : a systematic review of psychosocial support interventions / Stavrou, V. -- Abuse and trafficking among female migrants and refugees / Kastrup, M. -- Abuse in doctor-patient relationships / Tschan, W. -- Workplace harassment based on sex : a risk factor for women's mental health / Cortina, L.M., Leskinen, E.A. -- Violence against women and suicidality : does violence cause suicidal behaviour? / Devries, K.M., Seguin, M. -- Violence against women suffering from severe psychiatric illness / Rondon, M.B. -- Violence against women and mental health : conclusions / García-Moreno, C., Riecher-Rössler, A.

Surgery and pharmaceuticals are not the only effective procedures we have to improve our health. The natural human tendency to care for fellow humans, to support them with social networks, has proven to be a powerful treatment as well. As a result, the areas of application for social support intervention have expanded dramatically during the past 20 years. As these areas have expanded, so too has the literature on the theory and measurement of social support. Yet, the literature has focussed on very particular areas. Investigators in the social sciences have mainly focused on the protection that social support confers in the context of stressful life events and transitions, whereas studies in the health sciences have concentrated on the effects of social networks and supports on population mortality and morbidity. Although no single theoretical framework has been widely accepted, there is consensus that both the psychological sense of support and actual expressions of support play critical roles in maintaining health and well being. This book is a state-of-the-art resource for the selection and development of strategies for social support assessment and intervention. Designed for use by behavioral and medical scientists conducting studies of physical illness, psychological adjustment, and psychiatric illness in human populations, this volume presents a broad conceptual framework addressing the role of social support in mental and physical health. The book is divided into four sections. The first provides some historical context as well as a conceptual overview of how social support might influence mental and physical health. The second discusses techniques for measuring social networks and support, and the third addresses the design of different types of support interventions. The final section presents some general comments on the volume and its implications for social support research and intervention. This resource is meant to aid researchers in understanding the conceptual criteria on which measurement and intervention decisions should be made when studying the relations between social support and health. Furthermore, the information provided on both measurement and intervention will be valuable to practitioners interested in designing and evaluating prevention and treatment initiatives. Sponsored by the Fetzer Institute as a follow up to their successful 1995 publication, Measuring Stress, this book will provide the most up to date research on the effects of social support interventions on physical and mental health.

This book discusses psychiatric disorders among women in a manner that is relevant to clinical practice and keep cultural and social realities in perspective. The book is important in the face of rapidly changing conditions globally (including better education and more opportunities for work for women); challenges such as migration, war and violence and emerging areas such as newer reproductive technologies, Women's mental health cannot be divorced from social and cultural realities and while the book emphasises these areas, it also gives due importance to the current advances in neurobiology and psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders among women. Chapters in the book are written by multiple authors, many of the chapters use the life stage approach, and have been written by authors from different parts of the world to ensure cultural relevance and diverse viewpoints.

This book discusses health care issues related to domestic violence, using extensive case studies from India. By discussing the global literature, legal systems, methodological challenges of gathering information on domestic violence, and health systems issues, along with learnings from case studies, it fills a significant gap in the literature between health care policy and practice vis-à-vis victims of domestic violence. It therefore enables a systemic and systematic response to incidents of domestic violence. Policy instructions, court verdicts, government interventions, community-based direct interventions and related case discussions in the book help in the understanding and management of cases. Though the book uses case studies from India, it addresses globally relevant issues for health care professionals. In view of the paucity of application of systematic evidence-based knowledge, the holistic perspective presented in the book is important to prevent domestic violence, protect women’s rights, and promote healthcare and wellbeing of women and children facing domestic violence. Medical professionals are expected to intervene in instances of injuries related to domestic violence---a responsibility that they are currently unable to fulfil due to lack of training in recognizing abuse and lack of tools for intervention. This book improves hands-on-knowledge by providing information on where to refer victims for assistance and timely intervention. Comprehensive yet lucid, this book is useful for academics, policy makers, non-government organizations and women’s rights groups in helping victims during and after a violent episode and also in improving reporting and referral services.

This provocative book presents a strengths-based framework that challenges negative stereotypes about battered women. The volume also outlines ways to improve research, risk assessment, and safety planning.

Beyond a how-to book, Assessing Woman Battering in Mental Health Services discusses the issues underlying the identification and assessment of battered women and assists clinicians in providing an appropriate and safe response for them. It presents ways to build collaboration that improves assessment and referrals, and establishes a supportive environment that enhances disclosure of woman battering, identifying potential strengths and further safety rather than increasing risks. Concluding chapters consider issues involved in assessing women of different racial backgrounds and men who battered their female partners. This timely book is directed to mental health practitioners and domestic violence workers as well as academics, researchers, and students in the helping professions.