Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, PTSD, and Use of Mental Health Resources Among Ethnically Diverse Black Women

Abstract

Background This study examined exposure to violence and risk for lethality in intimate partner relationships as factors related to co-occurring MH problems and use of mental health (MH) resources among women of African descent. Methods Black women with intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences (n=431) were recruited from primary care, prenatal or family planning clinics in the US and the US Virgin Islands. Results Severity of IPV was significantly associated with co-occurring MH problems, but was not associated with the use of MH resources among African American women. Risk for lethality and co-occurring problems were also not significantly related to the use of resources. African Caribbean women with severe physical abuse experiences were significantly less likely to use resources. In contrast, severity of physical abuse was positively associated with the use of resources among Black women with mixed ethnicity. Conclusions Severe IPV experiences are risk factors for co-occurring MH problems, which in turn, increases the need for MH services. However, Black women may not seek help for MH problems. Thus, social work practitioners in health care settings must thoroughly assess women for their IPV experiences and develop tailored treatment plans that address their abuse histories and MH needs.

Intimate Partner Violence and Its Health Impact on Ethnic Minority Women

“…40 Only one study has examined IPV and co-occurring mental health problems (i.e., PTSD and depression) among three ethnic subgroups of Black women in the U.S. and U.S. Virgin Islands. 54 This study showed that only among African American women, severe psychological (AOR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and physical IPV (AOR 1.04; 95% CI:1.00-1.08) were associated with co-occurring mental health problems. No associations were found for African Caribbean women or Black women mixed with other racial/ethnic groups.…”

“…No associations were found for African Caribbean women or Black women mixed with other racial/ethnic groups. 54 In the same study population but based on a different analysis, the relationship between comorbid PTSD and depression, and risk for intimate partner femicide, the most severe outcome of IPV, was significant among the overall sample (i.e., African American and African Caribbean women) and African Caribbean women only. 53 Among Latina women, literature has documented those with experiences of IPV as having increased prevalence of depressive symptoms (41%-48%) 39,41,46,52 and PTSD (16.3%).…”

Co-occurring intimate partner violence, mental health, and substance use problems: a scoping review

“…Within these services, trauma-informed approaches were reported to be useful in helping frontline providers understand the complex relationships among these problems and were a suggested promising practice in the provision of client care (33, 38, 48, 49, 56, 58, 67). In addition, social and cognitive strategies to empower women, increase self-esteem, and help them develop strong social networks were reported to be helpful (34, 38, 49, 54, 63, 69).…”

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Factors Related to Workplace Violence Victimization

“…In this study, Blacks and Asians were found to be less likely than Whites to use formal WPV resources. This could be attributed to general under-utilization of formal services among ethnic minorities (El-Khoury et al, 2004; Rodriguez et al, 2009; Sabri et al, 2013). Minority workers may also not be aware of all resources at the workplace.…”