The influence of community violence on the functioning of women experiencing domestic violence

Am J Community Psychol. 2005 Sep;36(1-2):123-32. doi: 10.1007/s10464-005-6237-2.

Abstract

The relationships among women's experiences of domestic violence, community violence, and their mental health functioning were explored (N = 94). Social contagion theory was used to argue for the link between community violence and family violence. Results revealed that women's experiences of domestic violence were not related to community violence. Furthermore, women's mental health functioning was solely associated with their experiences of domestic violence, not with community violence. Results are discussed in terms of an ecological model of domestic violence and future directions for exploring linkages between neighborhood characteristics and individual experiences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Crime / psychology
  • Crime / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Risk Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Violence / psychology*
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data