Exploring the Stressors of Low-Income Women with Abusive Partners: Understanding Their Needs and Developing Effective Community Responses

• NCJ Number: 206902
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 221-232
• Author(s): Kimberly K. Eby
• Date Published: August 2004
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined how women’s experiences of domestic violence impact their levels of stress.

Abstract

Previous research has established a connection between women’s health symptoms and experiences of domestic violence. Aside from anecdotal evidence, little is known about the relationship between experiences of domestic violence and stress. Since the available literature contends that domestic violence leads to increased levels of stress in female victims, which in turn leads to deleterious health outcomes, it is important to measure levels of stress in female victims of domestic violence. In addition to probing domestic violence-related stress, the current study also compared the frequency of physical health problems and gynecological symptoms between women with a recent history of domestic violence and those without such a history. Participants were 107 women recruited from a local community resource center for low-income women; participants were screened for domestic violence background and placed in either the “abused” group or the “non-abused” group. Participants completed the Difficult Life Circumstances (DLC) scale and the Life Event Checklist to assess stress level and a health symptoms checklist to assess physical health and gynecological symptoms. Results of statistical analyses revealed that the “abused” group had higher levels of stress than the “non-abused” group on both stress measures. The findings also confirmed previous anecdotal evidence that suggested the most significant differences in specific stressors between the two groups of women were related either directly or indirectly to the abuse. Qualitative data revealed that the most significant stressors for the “abused” group during the past month were not related to the abuse, indicating the presence of multiple significant stressors in women’s lives. The findings suggest that domestic violence intervention strategies should focus on screening all patients in health care settings, particularly those who present repeatedly. Tables, references