The Complexities of Intimate Partner Violence: Mental Health, Disabilities, and Child Abuse History for White, Indigenous, and Other Visible Minority Canadian Women

J Interpers Violence. 2021 Feb;36(3-4):1208-1232. doi: 10.1177/0886260517741210. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Abstract

This research examines how mental health issues associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) relate to women's intersecting identities of race/ethnicity, disability status, and child abuse history. Data (N = 595) from a Canadian triprovincial study included women who were White (n = 263, 44.8%), Indigenous (n = 292, 49.7%), or visible minority (n = 32, 5.5%). Few demographic differences were found. None of the mental health measures (Symptom Checklist-Short Form [SCL-10], Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression [CES-D-10], Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] Checklist) were in the clinical ranges. In a MANCOVA on the mental health scales, with IPV severity, racial group, disability status, and child abuse history as variables, only disability was significantly associated with more mental health symptoms.

Keywords: disability; family violence; intimate partner violence; mental health; racial and ethnic backgrounds; trauma; violence against women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child Abuse*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence*
  • Mental Health
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / epidemiology