What should I know about self-defense training?

Learning self-defense empowers women in ways that go far beyond preventing assault. Self-defense training decreases women’s fear and anxiety and increases their confidence, their sense of self-efficacy, and their self-esteem. Learning self-defense helps women feel stronger and more confidence in their bodies. Women report more comfortable interactions with strangers, acquaintances, and intimates, both in situations that seem dangerous and those that do not.

From Jocelyn A. Hollander, Ph.D. University of Oregon, Women’s Self-Defense Frequently Asked Questions. September 15, 2014.

References

Brecklin, Leanne R.2008.“Evaluation Outcomes of Self-Defense Training for Women: A Review.” Aggression and Violent Behavior 13:60-76.

Hollander, Jocelyn A. 2004. “I Can Take Care of Myself: The Impact of Self-Defense Training on Women’s Lives.” Violence Against Women 10 (3): 205-235.

McCaughey, Martha.1997.Real Knockouts:The Physical Feminism of Women’s Self--‐Defense.New York: NewYork University Press.

Ozer, ElizabethM.,and Albert Bandura.1990 . “Mechanisms Governing Empowerment Effects: A Self-Efficacy Analysis.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 58(3): 472-486.

Weitlauf, Julie C., D. Cervone, R. E. Smith, and P.M. Wright. 2001. “Assessing Generalization

in Perceived Self-Efficacy: Multidomain and Global Assessments of the Effects of Self-Defense

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin 27 (12): 1683-1691.

Weitlauf, Julie C., Ronald E. Smith, and Daniel Cervone. 2000. “Generalization Effects of Coping Skills Training: Influence of Self-Defense Training on Women’s Efficacy, Beliefs, Assertiveness, and Aggression. Journal of Applied Psychology 85 (4): 625-633.