Effects of a social support intervention on health outcomes in residents of a domestic violence shelter: a pilot study.
This pilot study tested the feasibility and effectiveness of a social support intervention with women (n = 24) while they were in a domestic violence shelter. Health outcomes were examined pre and postintervention using a randomized control design. The intervention group had greater improvement (p = .013) in psychological distress symptoms and greater improvement in perceived availability of social support (p = .016) than the control group. The intervention group showed less health care utilization (p = .032) than the control group. Social support interventions for women in shelters are effective in improving health outcomes. Further research should be aimed at testing the effectiveness of different types of interventions on health and abuse outcomes in women who experience interpersonal violence.
Constantino
Rose
R
University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, PA 15261, USA. ykk@pitt.edu
Kim
Yookyung
Y
Crane
Patrica A
PA
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*