Interpersonal violence in the lives of urban American Indian and Alaska Native women: implications for health, mental health, and help-seeking.
OBJECTIVE
We surveyed American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) women in New York City to determine the prevalence of 3 types of interpersonal violence among urban AIAN women and the behavioral health and mental health factors associated with this violence.


METHODS
Using a survey, we questioned 112 adult AIAN women in New York City about their experiences with interpersonal violence, mental health, HIV risk behaviors, and help-seeking. The sampling plan utilized a multiple-wave approach with modified respondent-driven sampling, chain referral, and target sampling.


RESULTS
Among respondents, over 65% had experienced some form of interpersonal violence, of which 28% reported childhood physical abuse, 48% reported rape, 40% reported a history of domestic violence, and 40% reported multiple victimization experiences. Overwhelmingly, women experienced high levels of emotional trauma related to these events. A history of interpersonal violence was associated with depression, dysphoria, help-seeking behaviors, and an increase in high-HIV risk sexual behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
AIAN women experience high rates of interpersonal violence and trauma that are associated with a host of health problems and have important implications for health and mental health professionals.
Evans-Campbell
Teresa
T
Institute for Indigenous Health and Child Welfare Research, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle 98105, USA. tecamp@u.washington.edu
Lindhorst
Taryn
T
Huang
Bu
B
Walters
Karina L
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018585:Battered Women; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D004930:Inuit / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*