Link between learned helplessness and post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among battered womenSummary: Bargai, Ben-Shakhar and Shalev (2007) designed a study to test the hypothesis that learned helplessness (HL) mediates the relationship between violence severity and mental disorders among battered women, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) and major depression (MDD). They also hypothesize that severity of HL, PTSD, and MDD are positively correlated with severity of violence. Finally, it was hypothesized that there is a significant correlation between LH and the contextual factors involved such as child maltreatment, socioeconomic and male-dominated backgrounds. The sample consisted of 102 battered women from eight of eleven Israeli shelters. All but one completed the 18 months of this study. This study was conducted as a correlational study to determine the relationship between the measured variables. The independent variables in this study are battered women. All of these women were involved in a heterosexual relationship in which they experienced some form of violence. 90% of these women have suffered serious physical and/or sexual violence. There are four dependent variables: exposure to violence, PTSD and MDD symptoms, HL, and background variables that can be attributed to the behavior. These variables were assessed using self-report questionnaires and clinical interviews. The procedures were as follows: participants were asked to sign informed consent after receiving a full briefing on the purpose of this study. Once signed, participants received 200 NIS, which is equivalent to $45. At the shelter, each participant was taken individually, and a b...... middle of paper ...... bruised woman. They conducted this study on 101 women from eight of 11 Israeli shelters. The team used clinical interviews and a self-report questionnaire to measure HL, severity of violence, and symptoms of PTSD and MDD. They also looked at different aspects of the person's education. The hypothesis was confirmed. The results show that LH is positively correlated with male-dominated environments. Additionally, LH is considered to increase the risk of mental disorders. ReferenceBargai, N., Ben-Shakhar, G. and Shalev, AY (2007). Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among battered women: The mediating role of learned helplessness. Journal of Family Violence, 22(5), 267-275. doi:10.1007/s10896-007-9078-ySmith, R.A. & Davis, SF (2013). The psychologist as detective: an introduction to conducting psychological research. Boston: Prentice Hall.