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Revictimized Adult Women: Perceptions of Mental Health Functioning and Associated Services

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Abstract

In this study, using a sample of adult women (N = 418) from various environments, mental health outcomes and perceptions about different types of support following childhood and adulthood sexual and physical violence were assessed. The respondents were from three locations: general community, state prison, and sexual assault and domestic violence service providers. A cluster analysis based on victimization experiences was conducted; subsequent analyses showed that women who endured more types of abuse had more self-reported mental health difficulties. Somewhat paradoxically, women who utilized more therapeutic services held more negative perceptions of their mental health functioning, while use of tangible services had no significant association. Those who found therapeutic services helpful had significantly higher self-reported concurrent mental health functioning.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by Grant #2003-IJ-CX-1037 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. The authors would like to acknowledge the support and work of Professor Margaret Severson as co-Principal Investigator on the grant. We also acknowledge the willingness and generosity of the women who told us their experiences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rutgers University, School of Social Work, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Cassandra Simmel & Judy L. Postmus

  2. Center for Social Welfare Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

    Inseon Lee

Authors
  1. Cassandra Simmel
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  2. Judy L. Postmus
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  3. Inseon Lee
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Correspondence to Cassandra Simmel.

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Simmel, C., Postmus, J.L. & Lee, I. Revictimized Adult Women: Perceptions of Mental Health Functioning and Associated Services. J Fam Viol 31, 679–688 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9796-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9796-5

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