Family Support and Mental Health in Pregnant Women Experiencing Interpersonal Partner Violence: An Analysis of Ethnic Differences

• NCJ Number: 241204
• Journal: American Journal of Community Psychology Volume: 36 Issue: 1/2 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 97-108
• Author(s): Shallimar M. Jones; G. Anne Bogat; William S. Davidson II; Alexander von Eye; Alytia Levendosky
• Date Published: September 2005
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 8-7958-MI-IJ; R01/CCR518519-03-1
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This study investigated the relationship between the existence of family support and psychological well-being in pregnant women experiencing interpersonal partner violence, and whether the relationship was affected by race.

Abstract

Findings from this study on the relationship between family support and psychological well-being in pregnant women who were victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) include the following: Black women had significantly more emotional and practical support than White women, while frequent contact with family members was the same for both groups of women; no significant differences on severity of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found between either group of women; and depression, anxiety, and self-esteem were each significantly correlated with family emotional support, while self-esteem and depression were each significantly correlated with practical support. The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the existence of family support and psychological well-being in pregnant women experiencing IPV and whether the relationship was different for Black and White women. Data for the study were obtained from a sample (n=110) of women experiencing IPV. Study participants completed the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales, the Beck Depression Inventory, The PTSD Scale for Battered Women, the Brief Symptom Inventory - Anxiety, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Norbeck Social Support Scale. Analyses of the completed questionnaires indicate that ethnicity plays a role in relationship between family support and psychological well-being among abused pregnant women. Study limitations are discussed. Tables, figure, and references