title: Effect of face-to-face interview versus computer-assisted self-interview on disclosure of intimate partner violence among African American women in WIC clinics.
abstract: African American women in the United States report intimate partner violence (IPV) more often than the general population of women. Overall, women underreport IPV because of shame, embarrassment, fear of retribution, or low expectation of legal support. African American women may be especially unlikely to report IPV because of poverty, low social support, and past experiences of discrimination. The purpose of this article is to determine the context in which low-income African American women disclose IPV. Consenting African American women receiving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in WIC clinics were randomized to complete an IPV screening (Revised Conflict Tactics Scales-Short Form) via computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) or face-to-face interview (FTFI). Women (n = 368) reported high rates of lifetime and prior-year verbal (48%, 34%), physical (12%, 7%), sexual (10%, 7%), and any (49%, 36%) IPV, as well as IPV-related injury (13%, 7%). Mode of screening, but not interviewer race, affected disclosure. Women screened via FTFI reported significantly more lifetime and prior-year negotiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 10.54, 3.97) and more prior-year verbal (aOR = 2.10), sexual (aOR = 4.31), and any (aOR = 2.02) IPV than CASI-screened women. African American women in a WIC setting disclosed IPV more often in face-to-face than computer screening, and race-matching of client and interviewer did not affect disclosure. Findings highlight the potential value of face-to-face screening to identify women at risk of IPV. Programs should weigh the costs and benefits of training staff versus using computer-based technologies to screen for IPV in WIC settings.
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA finde3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fincher
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: VanderEnde
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Colbert
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Houry
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: L Shakiyla
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Yount
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011203:Poverty; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: African American women; intimate partner violence; response effects; screening