Social support reduces the impact of partner violence on health: application of structural equation models.
BACKGROUND
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with poorer health, yet pathways through which IPV affects either mental or physical health are not well characterized.


METHODS
Structural equation modeling was used to test a model in which physical-IPV and battering were considered as separate independent variables. The sample included 191 women currently experiencing either physical IPV or battering. Emotional support provided to women experiencing IPV was hypothesized to mediate the impact of IPV on current mental and physical health (dependent variables).


RESULTS
Higher scores on emotional support were associated with better physical (beta = -0.23, P < 0.01) and mental health (beta = -0.27, P < 0.001). Physical IPV was directly associated with poorer mental health (beta = 0.023, P < 0.01) and indirectly associated with poorer physical health (beta = 0.18, P < 0.001) and mental health (beta = -0.04, P < 0.05), primarily through battering. Higher battering scores were directly associated with less emotional support (beta = -0.33, P < 0.001) and indirectly associated with poorer physical (beta = 0.12, P < 0.01) and mental health (beta = 0.09, P < 0.01), primarily through emotional support. Model diagnostics indicated a good fit (chi(2) = 20.44, P = 0.37, GFI = 0.98, CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Higher levels of emotional support may modify the effect of IPV on health. Interventions to increase social and emotional support to abused women may reduce mental and physical health consequences.
Coker
Ann L
AL
University of Texas Health Science Center, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77225, USA. acoker@sph.uth.tmc.edu
Watkins
Ken W
KW
Smith
Paige H
PH
Brandt
Heather M
HM
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires