Intimate Partner Violence and Subsequent Depression: Examining the Roles of Neighborhood Supportive Mechanisms

Abstract

This study examines the direct effects of neighborhood supportive mechanisms (e.g., collective efficacy, social cohesion, social networks) on depressive symptoms among females as well as their moderating effects on the impact of IPV on subsequent depressive symptoms. A multilevel, multivariate Rasch model was used with data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods to assess the existence of IPV and later susceptibility of depressive symptoms among 2959 adult females in 80 neighborhoods. Results indicate that neighborhood collective efficacy, social cohesion, social interactions, and the number of friends and family in the neighborhood reduce the likelihood that females experience depressive symptoms. However, living in areas with high proportions of friends and relatives exacerbates the impact of IPV on females' subsequent depressive symptoms. The findings indicate that neighborhood supportive mechanisms impact interpersonal outcomes in both direct and moderating ways, although direct effects were more pronounced for depression than moderating effects. Future research should continue to examine the positive and potentially mitigating influences of neighborhoods in order to better understand for whom and under which circumstances violent relationships and mental health are influenced by contextual factors.

Neighborhood Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Theory‐Informed Analysis Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling

“…In our multi‐level examination, higher rates of concentrated disadvantage, an indicator of social disorganization, significantly predicted higher rates of IPV; these results are consistent with previous research and theory (e.g., Browning, ; Caetano et al., ; Cunradi, Mair, Ponicki, & Remer, ; Emery et al., ). In fact, concentrated disadvantage is one of the most robust neighborhood‐level predictors of IPV; yet, little research exists examining the underlying mechanisms driving this relation (e.g., Wright, Pinchevsky, Benson, & Radatz, ). Some researchers exploring underlying mechanisms have highlighted the ill effects of off‐premise liquor outlets (e.g., corner stores) on IPV (Cunradi et al., ; Snowden, ).…”

A qualitative analysis of psychosocial outcomes among women with sexual violence-related pregnancies in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

“…Most of the interviews described enacted social stigma; however, internalized shame and social isolation were also depicted. There is a growing body of literature on the influences of stigma, negative social attitudes, and low levels of social integration and cohesion on trauma symptom severity and mental health following violence [ 19 , 41 – 44 ]. Our study does not allow for conclusions about whether women who terminated SVRPs experienced more or less stigmatization within their communities since stigma from sexual violence, stigma from the SVRP, and stigma around pregnancy termination were not easily distinguishable in the interviews.…”

The implications of community responses to intimate partner violence in Rwanda

“…Recently, scholars have explored the potential for place-based communities or neighbourhoods to mediate the harmful impacts of IPV on women’s mental health in light of overwhelming evidence that social interaction leads to positive health outcomes [ 18 – 20 ]. When disclosing violence, women who receive positive and supportive responses from community members are less likely to experience post-traumatic stress [ 21 ].…”