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The Contemporary Study of Adult Survivors of Interpersonal Violence and the Development of Mental Health Treatment

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Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan

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Abstract

A dramatic increase in research on adult survivors of many forms of interpersonal violence (IPV) has occurred over the course of the past several decades. There have been waves of new theories, research, and approaches to treatment. A substantial body of accumulated evidence about IPV, its myriad aftereffects, and varied treatment approaches now supports what is known as evidence-based or evidence-supported practices and treatments. With advances in computing technology and increasingly sophisticated practice guidelines based on analyses of the research on efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiencies in treatment have been developed by professional organizations, many of which have come to rely on standards developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The guidelines have not been produced without criticism, however, including what is perceived as professional psychology’s overreliance on the IOM standards and methodology. Critics caution about overconfidence regarding treatment outcome data derived solely from Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) conducted in research settings and about a premature foreclosing on treatment innovation and research. Much remains to be investigated, developed, and researched in the treatment of all forms of trauma, including the aftereffects of interpersonal violence. This chapter includes a summary of historical developments in understanding different types of IPV, including the range of long-term effects on adult survivors. It provides an overview of treatment recommendations derived from recently available clinical and professional practice guidelines. It further discusses the need for sequencing of treatment of those clients with the most complex trauma histories and after effects and customizing treatment to their needs, preferences, and goals, while taking both therapist and client diverse identities into consideration in order to provide individualized treatment and to maximize outcomes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma Psychology and Treatment, Bethany Beach, DE, USA

    Christine A. Courtois

  2. Department of Counseling and Human Development, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Sylvia A. Marotta-Walters

Authors
  1. Christine A. Courtois
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  2. Sylvia A. Marotta-Walters
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert Geffner

  2. Department of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Jacquelyn W. White

  3. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  4. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

  5. Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Viola Vaughan-Eden

  6. Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Victor I. Vieth

Section Editor information

  1. Consultant and Trainer, Trauma Psychology and Treatment, Bethany Beach, Delaware, USA

    Christine A. Courtois

  2. Department of Counseling and Human Development, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States

    Sylvia A Marotta-Walters

  3. School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

    Carlos A. Cuevas

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Courtois, C.A., Marotta-Walters, S.A. (2022). The Contemporary Study of Adult Survivors of Interpersonal Violence and the Development of Mental Health Treatment. In: Geffner, R., White, J.W., Hamberger, L.K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., Vieth, V.I. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89999-2_79

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