Male abuse victims at risk of developing emotional problems

By Staff Writer

Most reported incidents of relationship violence involve a male aggressor and a female victim. However, many people are unaware of the long-term effects of female-on-male abuse.

New reports published by the American Psychological Association (APA) reveal that men who are abused by women can experience significant psychological damage, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal thoughts. The studies appear in the journal Psychology of Men and Masculinity.

According to a survey from the National Institute of Justice, approximately 8 percent of men report that they have been sexually or physically abused by their partners. Many males do not seek counseling following these incidents because of the stigma surrounding the subject. Some men believe they would be viewed as weak if they sought help for relationship violence.

A study by Clark University researchers characterizes this type of abuse as "intimate terrorism," in which men are violently or emotionally controlled by their female partners. These victims are at-risk of developing PTSD.

Problem teens who are in an abusive relationship may benefit from the supportive treatment options that are offered by many wilderness therapy programs.