Life constraints and psychological well-being of domestic violence shelter graduates

• Published in: Journal of family violence Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 109 - 121
• Main Authors: HAM-ROWBOTTOM, Kathleen A, GORDON, Erin E, JARVIS, Kelly L, NOVACO, Raymond W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Kluwer/Plenum 01-04-2005; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abused women; Adjustment; Adult; Battered Women; Biological and medical sciences; Community living; Depression; Depression (Psychology); Domestic violence; Family studies; Family Violence; Health aspects; Influence; Life satisfaction; Medical sciences; Mental health; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychosocial adjustment; Sheltered accommodation; Shelters; Social problems; Social Services; Transition; Trauma; USA; Victimology; Women; United States; Mood disorder; Human; Marital relation; Violence; Depression; Victimology; Trauma; Personal experience; Symptomatology; Social interaction; Female; domestic violence; Woman abuse; women's shelters; Psychological well being
• ISSN: 0885-7482; 1573-2851
• DOI: 10.1007/s10896-005-3174-7

Psychosocial adjustment & life constraints of 81 domestic violence shelter graduates were examined via field interviews in the community, assessing women's current life status, satisfaction with core life domains, & violence experience, pre- & post-shelter. Psychometric scales for depression & trauma symptoms were also administered. Participants had received extensive services in either an emergency or a transitional living shelter. Although fairly satisfied across life domains, many had serious post-shelter financial hardships. Most importantly, they reported remarkably little post-shelter violence exposure, either within or outside of romantic relationships. Despite now living independently, 43% & 75% reported clinical levels of depression & trauma symptoms, respectively. In hierarchical stepwise regressions, depression was related to women's childhood sexual abuse, dissatisfaction with housing & their own parenting, & experience of financial difficulties conjoined with public assistance. Trauma symptoms were associated with childhood sexual abuse & post-shelter financial difficulties. The impaired psychosocial functioning & life difficulties of these predominantly successful domestic violence survivors highlights the need for specialized shelter intervention & continuity of care in the community. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 55 References. Adapted from the source document.