“This is an excellent book, written by the foremost authority in the field. [It] is easy to read and does a nice job integrating theory and research.” Score: 95, 4 stars

--Doody's

Walker's seminal, groundbreaking book The Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) has forged new directions in the field of domestic violence for over 30 years. Now, the highly anticipated, third edition offers thoroughly updated and revised research on key topics, including posttraumatic stress disorder, learned helplessness or learned optimism, the cycle theory of violence, and much more.

This third edition presents updated data generated from the newly modified Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ). With a new focus on culture and ethnicity, these data detail the experiences of foreign women who either live in their country of origin or the U.S. Like its popular predecessors, this new edition serves as a valuable resource for both professional counselors and students studying domestic violence.

Discussions on the revised criteria for the BWS and PTSD:

Posttraumatic stress and re-experiencing the trauma High levels of anxiety and arousalEmotional numbing, avoidance behaviors, and depressionDisrupted interpersonal relationships Distorted body image and physical illnessesSexual issues, including feelings of guilt, shame, and jealousy

Key topics discussed:

Attachment issues for battered women and the men who batter themSubstance abuse and addictionRisk factors for further abuseWomen in prison and battered women who kill their abusive partners in self-defenseThe Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program (STEP) which helps women better understand how the violence has impacted their lives

Lenore Walker

Books