NCJ Number
228107
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 15 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 977-990
Date Published
August 2009
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined older African-American women's individual-level, dyadic, and community-level risk and protective factors for family violence,
Abstract
Findings in respect to individual-level risk factors include poor physical and mental health; a source of income puts older women at risk. Individual protective factors were all related to the survivor. Commonly recognized protective factors such as spirituality and social support did not emerge as significant. The perpetrator-level risk factor most often cited was a family member's substance abuse or mental health problem. External factors such as the stress of unemployment and experiences of racism felt by the perpetrator were considered as a risk for family violence. One dyadic variable, the generational difference between the perpetrator and the older woman, was found to be a significant risk factor, as was the overall level of community violence. Data were collected from African-American women over the age of 50 recruited from ambulatory clinics through flyers and referrals. Participants engaged in focus groups and were guided in open-ended questions regarding participant perceptions of family violence, risk and protective factors for older women, and barriers for seeking help. Figure and references