OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of comfort Latina women would consider when seeking domestic violence assistance from formal and informal networks and assess the effects of social support and social undermining associated with lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS: Spanish-speaking Latina women were asked to complete a self-administered survey which included question on health care utilization, social support and IPV. Lifetime IPV was characterized by any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by an intimate partner during one's lifetime. The level of comfort associated with obtaining IPV assistance was addressed by the following question, "How comfortable would you feel getting domestic violence assistance from the following people?" Both informal and formal networks were the focus of inquiry. We also utilized a social support scale with known validity and reliability to assess four dimensions of social support and social undermining by the person closest to them other than their intimate partner. RESULTS: Victims of IPV reported less comfort receiving IPV assistance from informal and formal networks compared to non-abused women. Examples include assistance from an older family member (31.8% versus 21.9%) and therapist (36.4% versus 23.3%). The risk of social undermining for abused women was 83.3% versus 16.7% for non-abused women. There was relatively no association among social support and abuse status. CONCLUSIONS: Social undermining among the Latina population may be a larger concern then lack of social support and additional research needs to assess which forms of informal and formal support networks will best benefit Latina women.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to analyze the differences reported among Latina women in regards to level of comfort in seeking violence intervention from various social support networks.
Keywords: Violence Prevention, Latinas
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.