title: Collegiate sororities and dating violence: an exploratory study of informal and formal helping strategies.
abstract: Women in collegiate sororities are more at risk for violence within the context of dating relationships than is the general population of college women. Because assaulted women are more likely to turn to their peer networks for support, this study explores the formal and informal helping strategies available to sorority members within the context of their sororities. A total of 35 women representing 17 different sororities participated in 4 focus groups. Although the central finding uncovered how violence is largely omitted from the formal agendas of sororities, community and campus-based programs addressing the issue can build on their sincere interest in helping each other.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri-Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Kim M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Fran S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Danis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D003380:Courtship / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009938:Organizations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011902:Rape / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*