In the last decade there has been heightened clinical and investigative activity in the area of family violence. This, of course, is partly attributable to recent surveys showing a high incidence of family violence in the United States. For example, there are indications that nearly 30% of married women in this country are victims of physical abuse by spouses at some point in their marriage. Further, FBI statistics show that approximately 13% of all homicides are husband-wife killings. Moreover, it has been projected that such figures are likely to increase over the next several years. Consistent with these trends, funding of family violence research by both federal and private agencies has increased. Indeed, federal agencies, such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, have provided considerable support for work in this area. In addition, family violence, particu larly wifebattering, child abuse, and sexual abuse of children has been the focus of media attention at the national level, and has generated intensive interest in both lay and profes sional publications. Moreover, there have been several recent governmental hearings and investigations regarding the prevalence of these problems."

Throughout the last decade, the field of clinical psychology has expanded dramatically. Clinical psychologists are involved in the treatment and research of a wider range of problems and disorders than they have ever been before. Evidence has been rapidly ac cumulating regarding the role of psychological variables and stress in the etiology and maintenance of a range of medical and psychiatric disorders. New models of psy chotherapy have been developed and refined, and the specific efficacy of psychother apeutic interventions for an increasing number of disorders (or sUbtypes of disorders) has been documented. However, concurrent with research that demonstrates the impact of psychosomatic factors in various disorders and the efficacy of psychological or psychosocial interven tions, dramatic progress has been made with regard to the investigation of biological factors that may mediate certain disorders. That physical factors may underlie many in stances of psychiatric illness has been repeatedly demonstrated. Also, the efficacy of so matic treatments for different disorders, or for subtypes of disorders, has been reported with increasing methodological rigor."

In the last decade there has been heightened clinical and investigative activity in the area of family violence. This, of course, is partly attributable to recent surveys showing a high incidence of family violence in the United States. For example, there are indications that nearly 30% of married women in this country are victims of physical abuse by spouses at some point in their marriage. Further, FBI statistics show that approximately 13% of all homicides are husband-wife killings. Moreover, it has been projected that such figures are likely to increase over the next several years. Consistent with these trends, funding of family violence research by both federal and private agencies has increased. Indeed, federal agencies, such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, have provided considerable support for work in this area. In addition, family violence, particu larly wifebattering, child abuse, and sexual abuse of children has been the focus of media attention at the national level, and has generated intensive interest in both lay and profes sional publications. Moreover, there have been several recent governmental hearings and investigations regarding the prevalence of these problems."