An Evidenced-Based Approach to a Theoretical Understanding of the Relationship Between Economic Resources, Race/Ethnicity, and Woman Abuse

Abstract

Within the context of advocating for evidence-based practice in the field of social work, the need also exists to test or systematically review studies that support or refute theories used in social work practice. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of domestic and international studies that examine the relationship between economic resources, race and ethnicity, and woman abuse. Findings of these studies are connected to their implications for exchange, feminist and asset-building theories. Lamentably, few studies include race or ethnicity. While the use of divergent measures for economic resources and woman abuse result in mixed findings, one consistent finding is that economic assets are negatively related to woman abuse.

Key Words:

• Woman abuse
• economic resources
• race