Social Support and Self-Esteem Moderate the Relation Between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Portuguese Women

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Costa, ECV (Author) Other; Gomes PS (Author) FMDUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Family Violence

Pages: 1-14

ISSN: 0885-7482

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-WVR

DOI: 10.1007/s10896-018-9962-7

Abstract (EN): Psychological distress and alcohol abuse have been linked to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, not all victims develop these problems. This study analyses the impact of IPV severity, social support, and self-esteem on depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as on alcohol abuse, and tests social and personal resources as moderators of the abuse-psychological distress-substance abuse link in a sample of Portuguese women including victims and non-victims of IPV (N = 209). IPV severity contributed significantly to depression and anxiety symptoms as well as to alcohol abuse, after controlling for socio-demographic factors. Both social support and self-esteem were found to moderate the relation between IPV and depression and anxiety symptoms. However, moderation did not occur for the association between IPV and alcohol abuse. This study shows the impact of IPV on mental health and on alcohol abuse, and highlights the need to design effective interventions that promote social and personal resources in victimized women. © 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific