Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 6, 2014, Pages 1077-1084

Acculturation and Associated Effects on Abused Immigrant Women’s Safety and Mental Functioning: Results of Entry Data for a 7-year Prospective Study (Article)

Nava A.* , McFarlane J. , Gilroy H. , Maddoux J.
  • a College of Nursing, Texas Woman’s University, 6700 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, United States
  • b College of Nursing, Texas Woman’s University, 6700 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, United States
  • c College of Nursing, Texas Woman’s University, 6700 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, United States
  • d Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, P.O. Box 425619, Denton, TX 76204, United States

Abstract

Intimate partner violence has negative effects on women’s safety and wellbeing. When immigrant women are victimized the danger and poor health may intensify. The purpose was to determine the impact of acculturation on severity of violence, danger for murder, mental health functioning, and safety behaviors of abused immigrant women. Entry data of a 7-year prospective study of 106 abused immigrant women who were first time users of safe shelter or justice services is presented. The interview included the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale, Danger Assessment, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Safety Behavior Checklist, and Acculturation for Hispanics instruments. A significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between acculturation and safety behaviors and BSI scores was established. Higher acculturation scores were associated with significantly more practiced safety behaviors and higher levels of depression. Understanding the specific needs of abuse immigrant women associated with acculturation is imperative to develop interventions to interrupt abuse and promote safety and mental well-being. © 2013, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

immigrant women Safety behaviors Mental health Acculturation Intimate partner violence

Index Keywords

prospective study Prospective Studies human epidemiology middle aged statistics and numerical data Emotional Adjustment ethnology Hispanic Americans Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult United States Humans migrant psychology Hispanic Adolescent Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female safety questionnaire cultural factor women's health psychological adjustment help seeking behavior Intimate Partner Violence partner violence adult Help-Seeking Behavior
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84911931737&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9816-6&partnerID=40&md5=8614f7df94b6a3b3ea469c7efe67309a
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9816-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English