Violent Lives of Women: Critical Points for Intervention—Phase I Focus Groups

PROBLEM. To identify critical developmental periods, experiences, and events in women's lives associated with violence to guide a larger study.
METHODS. Two focus groups of 10 women each (N = 20) were conducted to determine the critical times when girls and women might be exposed to violence.
FINDINGS. Broad themes in the data were developmental periods, abusers, staying in the relationship, leaving the relationship, parenting, and living with violence. The women in these focus groups clearly identified times of increased risk for violence in their lives: establishing intimate relationships, pregnancy, childrearing years, and times when substance abuse is occurring.
CONCLUSIONS. While clinicians should be vigilant for the presence of domestic violence with all clients, it is important to know when a woman experiences increased risk for violence. The findings indicate a need for education for communities, those who provide care for women and children, and people in whom victims may confide.     

A Stress‐Busting Program for Family Caregivers

Aging baby boomers, longer life spans, and rising levels of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) will result in a caregiver crisis in the near future. The ways in which caregivers deal with stresses related to caregiving will be critical to both their own well‐being and their ability to care for others. The purpose of this article is to describe the Stress‐Busting Program (SBP) for family caregivers and its effectiveness. The essential components of the SBP are education, stress management, problem solving, and support delivered in a group setting for 9 weeks. Results of the SBP indicate that throughout the program, caregivers experienced significant improvements in general health, vitality, social function, and mental health scores and decreases in anxiety, anger/hostility, depression, perceived stress, and caregiver burden. The SBP is a cost‐effective health‐promotion strategy for caregivers who have substantial ongoing stress.