scholarly journals Empowerment, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms Among Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Attending Personal Empowerment Programs

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051986969
Author(s):  
Esmeralda R. Garcia ◽  
Jane K. Stoever ◽  
Peiyi Wang ◽  
Ilona S. Yim

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects one in three women and can have long-lasting psychological effects, with abuse survivors typically exhibiting elevated stress and depressive symptoms. However, women with greater personal empowerment resources (i.e., self-care, agency, self-efficacy) and who practice relaxation techniques generally exhibit lower stress and depressive symptoms. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Personal Empowerment Programs (PEP) and practicing relaxation techniques in promoting empowerment and lowering stress and depressive symptoms. Ninety women were recruited from PEP classes conducted at domestic violence agencies in Orange County, California. Salivary cortisol and affect were assessed before and after one PEP class. Perceived stress, depressive symptoms, empowerment, and relaxation techniques were also assessed. Practicing relaxation techniques correlated with more empowerment. For women without sexual abuse experiences only, having completed more classes (>5 classes) in the program was associated with greater empowerment, less stress, and fewer depressive symptoms. Implications extend to future studies and interventions for IPV survivors.

Author(s):  
Lacy E. Jamison ◽  
Kathryn H. Howell ◽  
Kristina M. Decker ◽  
Laura E. Schwartz ◽  
Idia B. Thurston

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Cale ◽  
Stacy Tzoumakis ◽  
Benoit Leclerc ◽  
Jan Breckenridge

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between child abuse, depression, and patterns of Intimate Partner Violence victimization among female university students in Australia and New Zealand. Data were based on the Australia/New Zealand portion of the International Dating Violence Study (2001–2005) (n = 293). Using Latent Class Analysis, Low-, Moderate-, and High-level Intimate Partner Violence profiles were identified that differed according to the variety, degree, and severity of Intimate Partner Violence. Furthermore, the combination of child maltreatment and self-reported depressive symptoms differed across profiles. The results highlighted differential pathways from child maltreatment to specific Intimate Partner Violence victimization patterns. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of early intervention strategies to prevent Intimate Partner Violence, and specifically for children who experience abuse and neglect to help prevent subsequent victimization experiences in intimate relationship contexts.


2005 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy C. Chang ◽  
Michele R. Decker ◽  
Kathryn E. Moracco ◽  
Sandra L. Martin ◽  
Ruth Petersen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourah M. Kelly ◽  
Cory A. Crane ◽  
Kristyn Zajac ◽  
Caroline J. Easton

Purpose Past studies demonstrated the efficacy of integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for substance use disorder (SUD) and intimate partner violence (IPV) as well as high rates of depressive symptoms in this population. However, little is known about how depressive symptoms impact treatment outcomes. The authors hypothesized that integrated CBT, but not standard drug counseling (DC), would buffer the negative effects of depressive symptoms on treatment response. Design/methodology/approach A secondary analysis of a randomized trial compared men assigned to 12 weeks of integrated CBT for SUD and IPV (n = 29) to those in DC (n = 34). Findings Most (60%) of the sample reported any depressive symptoms. Controlling for baseline IPV, reporting any depressive symptoms was associated with more positive cocaine screens during treatment. Among men with depressive symptoms, integrated CBT but not DC was associated with fewer positive cocaine screens. Controlling for baseline alcohol variables, integrated CBT and depressive symptoms were each associated with less aggression outside of intimate relationships (family, strangers, etc.) during treatment. For men without depressive symptoms, integrated CBT was associated with less non-IPV aggression compared to DC. Effects were not significant for other substances, IPV, or at follow-up. Research limitations/implications This study found some evidence for differential response to CBT by depressive symptoms on cocaine and aggression at end of treatment, which did not persist three months later. Future studies should explore mechanisms of integrated CBT for SUD and IPV, including mood regulation, on depressive symptoms in real-world samples. Practical implications Integrated CBT buffered depressive symptoms’ impact on cocaine use, yet only improved non-IPV aggression in men without depressive symptoms. Originality/value Although integrated CBT’s efficacy for improving SUD and IPV has been established, moderators of treatment response have not been investigated.


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