Psychological Distress and Substance Use Among Community-Recruited Women Currently Victimized by Intimate Partners: A Latent Class Analysis and Examination of Between-Class Differences

• NCJ Number: 240458
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 18 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2012 Pages: 934-957
• Author(s): Seana Golder; Christian M. Connell; Tami P. Sullivan
• Date Published: August 2012
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Latent class analysis was used to examine patterns of victimization among a community sample of 212 women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).

Abstract

Latent class analysis was used to examine patterns of victimization among a community sample of 212 women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Results identified three classes of women characterized by victimization history (recent IPV, childhood victimization); classes were further differentiated by IPV-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, other indicators of psychological distress, and substance use. Differentiating levels of victimization and their associated patterns of psychosocial functioning can be used to develop intervention strategies targeting the needs of different subgroups of women so that mental health and substance use problems can be reduced or prevented altogether. Implications for treatment and future research are presented here. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.