Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health among Victimized

Migrant Women

Blanca Ramos, Ph.D., MSWUniversity at Albany, State University of New York, USA

Bonnie Carlson, Ph.D., MSWArizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) a global problem,

violation of human rightsIPV encompasses physical, psychological, and

sexual violenceMigrant women face unique factors that elevate

risk for IPV, includingUndocumented statusRacismFear of outsiders (xenophobia)

Consequences of IPVIPV has many adverse consequences on

victimsPhysical health consequences well

documentedMental health consequences less well

documented in migrant women

Research QuestionsWhat is the extent of physical and

psychological victimization in a sample of migrant Latinas?

What are the correlates of victimization with indicators of reduced mental health and well-being?

Hypothesis: acculturation stress will be positively associated with victimization

Methods: Procedure & Sample

Face to face interviews conducted by graduate students with male and female migrants from Latin American (mostly Mexico) to the U.S.

Sample demographic characteristics: 110 womenYoung (71% < age 35)Low education (56% no HS degree)Low income (about half earned < $20K

per year)

Methods: MeasuresIPV: Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, 1979)Acculturation stress: X-item Acculturation

Stress Scale (Caetano)Depression and anxiety: PRIME-MDAtaque de nervios – nervous attack, a

culturally specific syndrome

Results: IPV and Acculturation

Victimization29% reported physical violence from partner62% reported psychological victimization

Victimization and acculturation stress: r = .24 for physical victimization (p < .01)r = . 32 for psychological victimization (p

< .01)

Results: Mental HealthVictimization and depression: r=.35 for

physical, r=.42 for psychologicalVictimization and anxiety: r = .23 for

physical, r = .28 for psychologicalVictimization and ataque de nervios: r

= .38 for physical, r =.54 for psychologicalVictimization and self-esteem: r = -.37 for

physical and r = -.29 for psychological

ConclusionsIPV is a significant problem

among migrant women and is exacerbated by acculturation stress

IPV is associated with reduced mental health in terms of anxiety, depression and self-esteem

IPV against migrant women should be viewed as a human rights violation

ImplicationsSocial workers should be familiar with the potential

impact of acculturation stress on the emotional well-being of victimized migrant women.

Social workers should be prepared to address mental health concerns among victimized migrant women in a linguistic and culturally responsive manner recognizing the oppression, social inequality, and disempowerment they experience.

Social work responses to eradicate IPV against migrant women must take place at the individual, community, and societal levels.