Helpless behaviour and its correlates in Battered Women Syndrome

Abstract

Domestic violence severely affects an individual's well-being, and victims often remain in abusive relationships due to
helplessness, a condition known as Battered Women Syndrome, a subtype of PTSD. The study aimed to explore
the association between the various psychological factors related to helpless behaviour in women having battered
women syndrome. The sample was selected using purposive sampling (N=86). It included 43 participants in the clinical
group of women with battered women syndrome and 43 participants in the normal control group. Participants were
assessed on the index of spousal of abuse scale, Miller’s marital locus of control scale, interpersonal dependency
inventory, positive and negative suicide ideation inventory and helpless behaviour questionnaire. The findings
suggested that Higher abuse severity is linked to increased helplessness, dependency, and external locus of control
while reducing protective thoughts against suicide, amplifying vulnerability in affected women. A significant
difference was observed between women with battered women syndrome and normal control on the severity of
abuse, marital locus of control, interpersonal dependency, positive suicidal thoughts and helpless behaviour. The
findings have significant clinical implications. A deeper understanding of the factors associated with Battered
Women Syndrome can facilitate the development of specialised therapeutic models for its prevention and
management.