Does Powerlessness Explain the Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression?

Abstract

The current study aimed to test whether relationship power could act as a mediator of the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression. The proposed mediation model was based on the theory of gender and power and on previous research of intimate partner violence and depression. Survey results from a sample of 327 single undergraduate women lent support to the hypothesis stating that relationship power accounts for some of the association between intimate partner violence and depression. Results revealed that women who felt powerless had higher rates of intimate violence victimization and higher levels of depression; a mediation analysis revealed that sexual relationship power mediated the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression. Future interventions targeting the prevention of intimate partner violence among young women may want to utilize an empowerment approach to decrease their likelihood of experiencing dating violence victimization and their subsequent risk for depression.

A Systematic Review of the Psychometric Properties of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale in HIV/AIDS Research

“…Response sets were often modified from the original, such as expanding the Likert scale to include a neutral response or more responses (Beckman et al, 2006; Teitelman, Ratcliffe, Morales-Aleman, & Sullivan, 2008; Younge et al, 2010), dichotomizing responses (Parrado, Flippen, & McQuiston, 2005; Pettifor et al, 2004), or reflecting the Likert scores (Buelna, Ulloa, & Ulibarri, 2009; Filson, Ulloa, Runfola, & Hokoda, 2010). Scoring variations were reported in several articles, most often in light of non-normal sample distributions, response set modifications, and cultural contexts.…”

“…Higher perceived relationship power by women (as measured by SRPS) was associated with perceived lower sexual pressure (Jones & Gulick, 2009), less prevalent dating violence (Buelna et al, 2009), less intimate partner violence (IPV) (Buelna et al, 2009; Filson et al, 2010; Pulerwitz et al, 2000), less frequent unprotected anal intercourse (Knudsen et al, 2008), consistent condom use (Amaro et al, 2007; Pulerwitz et al, 2000), and fewer treated STIs (Buelna et al, 2009). In addition, relationship power was a partial mediator of the association between IPV and depression (Filson et al, 2010) and between IPV and sexual risk (Buelna et al, 2009).…”

“…In addition, relationship power was a partial mediator of the association between IPV and depression (Filson et al, 2010) and between IPV and sexual risk (Buelna et al, 2009). In other findings, the SRPS showed no evidence of association with proxy microbicide use (Mosack, Weeks, Sylla, & Abbott, 2005), injurious dating violence (Buelna et al, 2009), STI positive tests (Buelna et al, 2009), or frequency of unprotected sex (Operario et al, 2011b).…”

Sexual Orientation and the Effects of Intimate Partner Violence

“…These results not only are consistent with previous research but may add additional support to several theories explaining adverse health effects on IPV victims. This area of research has sought to explain the increase in health issues for victims and has offered internalization of the victimization, power imbalances in the relationship, and coping mechanisms as possible explanations for mental health problems and substance use (see Bennett & O'Brien, 2007;Filson, Ulloa, Runfola, & Hokoda, 2010;Kilpatrick, Acierno, Resnick, Saunders, & Best, 1997).…”

Gender Differences in the Influence of Protective Factors, Risk Factors, and Health Risk Behaviors on HIV Risk Behaviors Among Youth in South Florida

“…According to the TGP, females with a history of psychological distress or depression are at an increased risk HIV, which may reflect inequalities of power within within relationships (Wingood & DiClemente, 2000). Previous studies Filson et al, 2010) suggest that women who felt powerless in relationships had higher levels of depression, and depressed females may lack the self-esteem, self-efficacy, or assertiveness needed to refuse sex or negotiate safer sex.…”