Problem-focused coping mediates the impact of intimate partner violence on mental health among Chinese women.

Abstract

Objective: Our study focused on understanding on the ways that abused Chinese women cope and aimed to examine the mediating role of coping strategies between the relationships of intimate partner violence (IPV; including partner stalking) and mental health problems. Method: A population-based household survey was completed by 550 Chinese community-dwelling women. Data on the mediating roles of coping strategies were examined using structural equation models. Results: The prevalence of IPV among Chinese women was 22.9% for psychological abuse, 6.5% for physical abuse, 2.2% for sexual abuse, and 4.2% for partner stalking in the past year. Abused women used more active coping (p = .01), planning (p = .006), and self-distraction (p = .02) than nonabused women. Results supported the mediating effect of problem-focused and passive coping strategies, but not emotion-focused coping, in the pathways of IPV and mental health outcomes (root mean squared error of approximation = .063, comparative fit index = .93, Tucker-Lewis index = .91, and standardized root mean squared residual = .06). Negative mental health outcomes significantly decreased by problem-focused coping (β = −5.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −9.56, −.77, p = .021) and significantly increased by passive coping (β = 4.72, 95% CI = 1.24, 8.19, p = .008). Conclusions: Abused women used multifaceted types of coping. Both problem-focused and passive coping mediated the IPV-mental health outcomes link. The findings reinforced the importance of helping abused women find practical ways to cope with IPV.

Migrant Women’s Help-Seeking Decisions and Use of Support Resources for Intimate Partner Violence in China

“…Studies conducted in different countries have reported increased risks for mental health symptoms, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and suicidality (Ferrari et al, 2014;Gibbs et al, 2018;McLaughlin et al, 2012;Nathanson et al, 2012); different health concerns (Alhalal, 2018;Al-Modallal, 2016;Eaton et al, 2016;Massetti et al, 2017); and financial hardships and housing insecurity (Adams et al, 2013;Gilroy et al, 2016). Women face challenges and barriers when seeking help for IPV even though timely and sufficient support for IPV can significantly mitigate these risks (Grip et al, 2011;Guay et al, 2019;Rizo et al, 2017;Wong et al, 2016;. Helpseeking for IPV is an ongoing and dynamic process (Kennedy et al, 2012;Liang et al, 2005).…”

Nursing research on intimate partner violence in China: A scoping review

“…Information on prevalence was usually reported as part of the results in studies that screened for IPV during the recruitment procedure. In this scoping review, the lifetime prevalence of IPV among women was 43%, and the past-year prevalence ranged from 11·5% to 26%; [61 , 68] more specifically, the past-year prevalence of psychological abuse was reported as 22·9%, followed by physical abuse ranging from 6·5% to 10·1%, and sexual abuse ranging from 2·2% to 4·0% [69 , 70] . Prevalence ranged according to setting and sampling procedures; most were convenience samples.…”

Hunting to Feel Human, the Process of Women’s Help-Seeking for Suicidality After Intimate Partner Violence: A Feminist Grounded Theory and Photovoice Study

“…Whereas the conceptualization of suicide within society implies incompetence and incapacitation, Hunting is a novel way of understanding suicide as it depicts women as active agents in determining their health outcomes. Studies demonstrating women’s capacity to protect themselves from the negative mental health effects of violence (Wong et al, 2016; Wuest et al, 2003) substantiate the agency implicit in the Hunting process.…”