Coping variables that mediate the relation between intimate partner violence and mental health outcomes among low-income, African American women (original) (raw)
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Violence Against Women, 2017
Few studies have assessed the individual symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as separate mental health consequences of intimate partner abuse (IPA). This study examined the role of coping strategies associated with symptoms of PTSD in a community sample of African American women who have experienced abuse ( N = 128). The results revealed that nonphysical abuse was more prevalent than physical abuse. Specific symptoms of PTSD expressed depended on the type of abuse experienced and the type of coping strategies utilized. The findings have multiple implications on how IPA is studied as well as its clinical screening and treatment processes.
Violence against women, 2007
This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine psychological factors that influence links between intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicidality in a sample of low-income African American women. Quantitative results demonstrated greater general coping, more efficacious behavioral strategies in response to IPV, more effective use of resources, greater use of social support, and less substance use among women who did not attempt suicide compared with those who did. Qualitative findings showed that suicide attempters showed less adaptive coping strategies aimed at accommodating the abuser, whereas non-attempters were more focused on strategies that supported leaving the relationship and/or avoiding further harm.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Existing research continues to highlight the harm that intimate partner violence (IPV) can pose to health and well-being. However, little is done to understand the effectiveness of coping and protective mechanisms in helping women manage under adverse circumstances. The current study addresses the mental health of US Black women and the role of coping and protective moderators. An analysis of data from the National Survey of American Life (2001–2003), the most comprehensive survey on the health of US Blacks, was conducted. The association between severe physical intimate partner violence and mental health outcomes were confirmed. Resilience moderated the relationship between severe intimate partner violence and mood disorder among US Black women, but this differed between African American and Caribbean Blacks. Resilience, emotional family support, and spirituality reduced the likelihood of having a mental health condition for some African American and Caribbean Black women, while th...
Partner abuse, 2010
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with psychological distress; however, differences in the impact of unidirectional IPV, typically male-dominated, and bidirectional IPV have not been examined. To address this gap in the literature, we compared the effects of various IPV patterns on women's reports of dissociation, post-traumatic stress disorder, and stress in 6 interviews over eight years. We also examined whether differences by IPV pattern existed in women's mental health upon leaving a violent relationship. The 489 low-income women completing all interviews were African American (40%), Euro-American (30%), and Mexican American (30%), over half of whom (58%) were no longer with Wave 1 partners by Wave 6. In general, worse mental health was associated with relationship termination and bidirectional violence.
The Mediating Role of Empowerment for African American Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy, 2010
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant societal problem associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression, which in turn can cause impairment in a variety of areas. Previous research suggests that African American women experience more frequent and severe IPV than White women, yet report fewer PTSD symptoms related to their abuse. One proposed explanation for this relationship is that African American women are more resilient due to internal coping methods such as empowerment; however, this relationship has yet to be empirically tested. The current study investigates the role of empowerment in mediating IPV-related psychological distress in a sample of African American and White battered women (N = 204). As hypothesized, personal empowerment mediated the relationships between race and PTSD and race and depression, suggesting that empowered African American women may demonstrate greater resiliency when faced with IPV. Results are discussed in terms of thei...
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 2013
The relationship between partner violence and physical health symptoms is well-established. Although some researchers have theorized that the physical health effects of partner violence may be worse for ethnic minority women, there is little research addressing this topic. The current study examined whether African American women demonstrate a differential association in this relationship than Caucasian women. This study included 323 women (232 African American, 91 Caucasian) who participated in a larger investigation of the psychological and psychophysiological correlates of recent partner violence among women seeking help for the abuse. Race was examined as a moderator of the relationship between partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms. Although mean levels of partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms did not significantly differ between African American and Caucasian women, linear regression analyses demonstrated a significant positive relationship between partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms for African American women; whereas there was no association observed between these variables for Caucasian women. Post hoc analyses revealed that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms partially mediated the association between partner violence frequency and physical health symptoms for the African American women. The current findings underscore the importance of considering race when studying the effect of partner violence on women's health.
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2000
This study examined the role of social support in the partner violencepsychological distress relation in a sample of African American women seeking medical care at a large, urban hospital (n ϭ 138). Results from bivariate correlational analyses revealed that partner violence was related to lower perceived social support and greater psychological distress, and lower social support was related to more distress. Furthermore, findings based on path analysis indicated that low levels of social support helped account for battered women's increased distress. Findings point to the 1
Partner violence, social support, and distress among inner-city African American women
2000
This study examined the role of social support in the partner violencepsychological distress relation in a sample of African American women seeking medical care at a large, urban hospital (n ϭ 138). Results from bivariate correlational analyses revealed that partner violence was related to lower perceived social support and greater psychological distress, and lower social support was related to more distress. Furthermore, findings based on path analysis indicated that low levels of social support helped account for battered women's increased distress. Findings point to the 1
Black Women's Health: The Effect of Perceived Racism and Intimate Partner Violence
Violence Against Women, 2006
This study provides preliminary evidence of the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and intimate partner violence (IPV) and how these exposures interact to affect the mental and physical health of Black women. The exposures of lifetime perceived racial discrimination and IPV were found to be highly associated. Furthermore, women who reported both exposures showed a notably higher prevalence of anxiety and nonspecific physical health symptoms compared with women who reported either or neither exposure. To appropriately respond to the health needs of Black women, it is essential that women's many stressors be considered simultaneously.