Purpose
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause of homelessness among women in the United States. Our recent evaluation of on-site transitional housing (TH) and community-based rapid-rehousing (RRH) for IPV survivors demonstrated statistically significant reductions in IPV revictimization and housing instability by 6-month follow-up. The current study extends these results to address key knowledge gaps, including 1) for whom such supports work, 2) the interplay of IPV, housing instability, and economic dependence over time, and 3) women's perceptions of how housing supports influence safety and housing and economic stability.
Methods
Our prospective, quasi-experimental design enrolled IPV survivors (n = 70) receiving housing support services (RRH or TH) in [Baltimore, Maryland], with survey data at baseline and 3-month intervals over 6-month follow-up and qualitative interviews (n = 20). Intervention effects were stratified by key conceptualized moderators, including housing program, children with abuser, and intimate partner homicide risk at baseline. Structural equation models examined the interplay of IPV and housing stability over time. Qualitative interviews examined the pathways by which changes occurred.
Results
In stratified models, IPV reductions at 6-month follow-up were evident among RRH and TH participants, irrespective of shared children with abusive partners and across baseline homicide risk categories, including variable homicide risk (p < 0.01) and severe/extreme homicide risk (p < 0.001). Structural equation modeling identified a significant positive relationship between baseline housing instability and economic dependence on abuser at 6-months. Cross-sectionally, IPV and economic dependence were positively associated at all three time points. Women described financial and safety-related pathways afforded by the housing program and sustained safety-related considerations and strategies.
Conclusions
Housing support simultaneously improved housing stability and safety among women. While housing can begin to mitigate economic dependence, it remains an important IPV risk factor in this population, and the end of such supports may precipitate increased reliance on an abusive partner for women with greater housing instability before receiving services. Further work is needed to understand the intensity and duration of housing supports needed for sustained safety and well-being among IPV survivors.
(Publisher abstract provided.)
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