Concomitant Forms of Abuse and Help-Seeking Behavior Among White, African American, and Latina Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence

• NCJ Number: 237245
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 17 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 1067-1085
• Author(s): Sharon M. Flicker; Catherine Cerulli; Xi Zhao; Wan Tang; Arthur Watts; Yinglin Xia; Nancy L. Talbot
• Date Published: August 2011
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): K01MH075965-01; T32 MH018911
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the differential impact of concomitant forms of violence (sexual abuse, stalking, and psychological abuse) and ethnicity on help-seeking behaviors of women physically abused by an intimate partner.

Abstract

This study uses National Violence against Women Survey data to investigate the differential impact of concomitant forms of violence (sexual abuse, stalking, and psychological abuse) and ethnicity on help-seeking behaviors of women physically abused by an intimate partner (n = 1,756). Controlling for severity of the physical abuse, women who experienced concomitant sexual abuse are less likely to seek help, women who experienced concomitant stalking are more likely to seek help, whereas concomitant psychological abuse is not associated with help seeking. Ethnic differences are found in help seeking from friends, mental health professionals, police, and orders of protection. Implications for service outreach are discussed. (Published Abstract)