The influence of community violence on the functioning of women experiencing domestic violence.
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.
Bogat
G Anne
GA
Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Psychology Building, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48824-1116, USA. bogat@msu.edu
Leahy
Kerry
K
von Eye
Alexander
A
Maxwell
Christopher
C
Levendosky
Alytia A
AA
Davidson
William S
WS
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data