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The Influence of Community Violence on the Functioning of Women Experiencing Domestic Violence

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American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

The relationships among women’s experiences of domestic violence, community violence, and their mental health functioning were explored (N = 94). Social contagion theory was used to argue for the link between community violence and family violence. Results revealed that women’s experiences of domestic violence were not related to community violence. Furthermore, women’s mental health functioning was solely associated with their experiences of domestic violence, not with community violence. Results are discussed in terms of an ecological model of domestic violence and future directions for exploring linkages between neighborhood characteristics and individual experiences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Psychology Building, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48824-1116

    G. Anne Bogat, Kerry Leahy, Alexander von Eye, Alytia A. Levendosky & William S. Davidson II

  2. School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

    Christopher Maxwell

  3. Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Christopher Maxwell

Authors
  1. G. Anne Bogat
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  2. Kerry Leahy
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  3. Alexander von Eye
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  4. Christopher Maxwell
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  5. Alytia A. Levendosky
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  6. William S. Davidson II
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Correspondence to G. Anne Bogat.

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Bogat, G.A., Leahy, K., Eye, A.v. et al. The Influence of Community Violence on the Functioning of Women Experiencing Domestic Violence. Am J Community Psychol 36, 123–132 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-005-6237-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-005-6237-2

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