To the editor

I am compelled to respond in writing regarding the article by Lutenbacher, Cohen, and Conner on the perceptions of battered women in the September/October 2004 issue. I have 16 years experience in public health, school health, and pediatric nursing.

Lutenbacher et al. focused the study on the potentiating factors of the mothers' childhood abuse experiences and current level of depression. However, I am curious about the compensatory factors present, the factors that decrease the risk of abusive parenting. In a study of 206 single mothers, Hall, Sachs, and Rayens (1998) found that social resources act to diminish mothers' potential for child abuse. A tangible resource was whether a woman had someone in her life who could loan her money or a car. A functional resource was whether a woman had someone available in her life to confide in about important matters. Evidence-based interventions could evolve from understanding compensatory factors.

Lutenbacher et al. recruited women who answered advertisements posted in various community settings. In the study, 60% of the women were under current treatment for emotional or mental health problems. This is surprising and inconsistent with my experience caring for battered women. Maybe the majority of the women were recruited from shelters where mental health treatment was offered. If so, this should be clearly stated. Generalizing the findings from this study to the overall population of battered women may be difficult. Thank you for publishing this research report, which can serve to educate and mobilize health care providers to screen for family violence and intervene as needed.