Seeking Help from the Clergy for Relationship Violence

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Research on help‐seeking patterns and resources for relationship violence survivors has been documented in social science literature, though whether or not victims seek help from the clergy for interpersonal violence is understudied in the academic literature. Findings from the present study show that clergy are sought out for help with problems related to relationship violence. When the clergy are sought out for assistance in response to violence, they are utilized under varying types of relationship violence. Findings show that Hispanic women are prone to seek the clergy regarding spousal abuse. Additionally, education increases the likelihood that women will seek the help of the clergy, while low‐income women are also likely to do so. Women will seek help from the clergy when their depression symptoms are high. Implications and directions for future research will be addressed.

This project was funded by Harry E. and Bernice M. Moore Summer Fellowship given by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and was presented at the Distinguished Speaker’s Series at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 2005. The author thanks Christopher G. Ellison for helpful comments on earlier drafts.Address correspondence to: Margaret L. Vaaler, M. A., Department of Sociology, 1 University Station ‐A1700, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 (E‐mail: [email protected]).

Keywords:

• Clergy
• help‐seeking
• violence

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Erratum

Notes

This project was funded by Harry E. and Bernice M. Moore Summer Fellowship given by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and was presented at the Distinguished Speaker’s Series at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 2005. The author thanks Christopher G. Ellison for helpful comments on earlier drafts.Address correspondence to: Margaret L. Vaaler, M. A., Department of Sociology, 1 University Station ‐A1700, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 (E‐mail: [email protected]).