The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Mental Health: A Study of African American and Caucasian College Females

Abstract

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between race and the development of mental health disorders following experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). An existing data set was used with a questionnaire that included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression scales as indicators of mental health. Participants included 46 African American and 46 randomly selected Caucasian female students at a large, Southeastern university who had experienced IPV (n=92). A MANOVA was used to analyze the extent to which race affected the development of PTSD and depression following IPV. The findings of the study indicated that race did not play a role in determining whether or not women were likely to develop mental health issues as a result of experiencing IPV. It is important to note that all victims of IPV regardless of race do experience some levels of PTSD and depression and would benefit from interventions that address these issues.