Journal article
Psychological Well-Being Among Women Who Experienced Intimate Partner Violence and Received Civil Legal Services
Journal of interpersonal violence, Vol.36(7-8), pp.3688-3709
2021
DOI: 10.1177/0886260518777552
PMID: 29806561
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is often associated with negative mental health outcomes; yet, little is known about the psychological well-being of women who experience IPV and receive civil legal services. Civil legal services are not specifically designed to focus on women's mental health needs but Sullivan's Social and Emotional Well-Being Framework helps to explain why women receiving this type of formal assistance may demonstrate positive changes in psychological well-being. Using a panel study design and data from 85 women who experienced IPV and sought civil legal services, we examined women's psychological well-being over a one-year period of time. Approximately two thirds of the women received assistance from Iowa Legal Aid (ILA) for a civil protective order ( n = 56) and the rest were represented in a family law matter. We used measures of mental health (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) and well-being (social support, resilience, goal directed thinking, empowerment). Our hypotheses that women would experience a decrease in mental health symptoms and an increase in well-being were partially supported. Women reported a decrease in depressive and PTSD symptoms over one year but there were no changes in their goal-oriented thinking or resilience. Implications for practice and future research are included.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Psychological Well-Being Among Women Who Experienced Intimate Partner Violence and Received Civil Legal Services
- Creators
- Lynette M Renner - 1 University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, USACarolyn Copps Hartley - 2 University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of interpersonal violence, Vol.36(7-8), pp.3688-3709
- Publisher
- Sage; United States
- DOI
- 10.1177/0886260518777552
- PMID
- 29806561
- ISSN
- 1552-6518
- eISSN
- 1552-6518
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100005289, name: National Institute of Justice, award: 2010-WG-BX-0009
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2021
- Academic Unit
- School of Social Work; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984002303802771
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