Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Functioning in Latina Women

Abstract

In this study, the researchers examined the associations among intimate partner violence and psychological functioning in 282 Latina women between 18 and 45 years. Participants were interviewed about demographic characteristics, experiences with physical, sexual, and psychological intimate partner violence, psychological symptoms, stressful life events, and childhood maltreatment. Physical violence was associated with symptoms of depression and hostility, and psychological abuse was related to depression, hostility, and somatization. Sexual violence was generally not associated with psychological functioning. The different types of intimate partner violence were not related to participants’ self-esteem. Implications for interventions with Latina women are discussed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Support for this work comes from National Institute of Justice grant 2000-WG-VX-0017 (F.I.S.), National Institute of Mental Health Mentored Research Scientist Development Award K01-MH65454 (A.L.H.), and National Institute on Drug Abuse Mentored Research Scientist Development Award K01-DA15145 (C.D.C.). The authors thank Jill Covert, B.A. for data management, Donald Slymen, Ph.D. for statistical consultation, and Mary Mueggenborg, M.S.W. for assistance with manuscript preparation. We also gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the field work staff and the participants in the study.

Notes

^a 13 missing values.

¹ R² = .31;

² R² = .26;

³ R² = .32;

⁴ R² = .18;

⁵ R² = .21;

⁶ R² = .23.

^a Comparison group is immigrant;

^b Comparison group is high school education or >;

^c Comparison group is married.

∗p < .05;

∗∗p < .01;

∗∗∗p < .001;

∗∗∗∗p < .0001.