Lifetime Abuse, Mental Health, and African American Women

• NCJ Number: 206885
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 153-164
• Author(s): Blanca M. Ramos; Bonnie E. Carlson; Louise-Anne McNutt
• Date Published: June 2004
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Based on telephone interviews as part of a larger study, the current study examined the relationship between lifetime intimate-partner abuse and mental health among 126 African-American women and 365 White women who were receiving treatment in a primary health care setting.

Abstract

Sociodemographic data were obtained for age, education, perceived economic hardship, employment status, income, living situation, and health insurance. Seven types of intimate-partner abuse were measured: recent partner physical abuse, recent partner emotional abuse, recent partner sexual abuse, adult past physical abuse, adult past sexual abuse, child physical abuse, and child sexual abuse. Severity was measured in six of the seven types of abuse. The "lifetime abuse" variable was developed by summing up the values across the seven types of abuse, resulting in a lifetime abuse score that ranged from 0 to 14. Mental health symptoms were measured with the patient questionnaire portion of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Consistent with hypotheses, lifetime abuse was associated with elevated levels of anxiety and depression, and women who experienced childhood abuse were more likely to report adult partner abuse. African-American and White women showed more similarities than differences in the associations between most abuse experiences and depression and anxiety, as well as types of childhood abuse. African-American abused women reported more excessive jealousy by partners. Nonabused African-American women reported higher levels of depression and anxiety than their White counterparts. Black as well as White women who are seeking care for anxiety and/or depression should be screened for the presence of abuse. Similarly, victimized women should be assessed for potential mental health outcomes. A culturally competent intervention needs to consider the roles of relevant social and cultural elements as risk or protective factors for intimate-partner violence and its mental health sequelae. 5 tables and 84 references