Interpersonal violence and women with disabilities: analysis of safety promoting behaviors

Violence Against Women. 2009 Sep;15(9):1040-69. doi: 10.1177/1077801209340309. Epub 2009 Jul 16.

Abstract

Very little information exists related to the interpersonal violence safety promoting behaviors of women with disabilities. Information about women's use of safety promoting behaviors was gathered from 305 disabled and deaf women who completed an anonymous Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview. Exploratory factor analyses revealed factors related to seeking abuse-related safety information, building abuse-related safety promoting skills, using relationship support, planning for emergencies, taking legal action, and managing safety in personal assistance relationships. Four of these factors demonstrated significant relationships to women's experience of different forms of abuse and their perpetrator's characteristics.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Battered Women / psychology*
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data
  • Disabled Persons / psychology
  • Disabled Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sexual Partners
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Women's Health*
  • Young Adult