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Is Race a Factor in Disparate Health Problems Associated with Violence Against Women?
Rivera, Marny Garcia, Gabriel
Rivera, Marny
Garcia, Gabriel
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Abstract
Research studies examining the health correlates of violence against women have
consistently demonstrated associations between violence and poor health outcomes, but have
not examined a disparate impact on racial minorities. Alaska Victimization Survey data
(2010) were used to examine whether a disparate relationship between victimization and
health problems exists for minority women relative to White women. The Alaska
Victimization Survey (AVS) is a cross-sectional survey designed to provide baseline
estimates of intimate partner and sexual violence for Alaskan women. Logistic regression
was used to assess the odds of experiencing various health problems given race and exposure
to violence status while holding age and education constant. This study found that
victimization increased the odds of health problems for all women, but significantly more so
for minority women. Based on allostatic load theory, minority women who are victims of
violence may be more likely to experience poor health outcomes because of the
compounding effects of life stressors on neural, endocrine, and immune systems. Policy and
practice implications of the study findings suggest preventing and reducing violence against
all women, and for informed physicians to screen patients for abuse histories and refer to
appropriate counseling and other stress reduction resources.
Description
Date
2014-12-01
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Center for Health Disparities Research School of Community Health Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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Keywords
intimate partner violence, sexual violence, women's mental health, women's physical health, minorities
Citation
Garcia, Gabriel M.; & Rivera, Marny. (2014). "Is Race a Factor in Disparate Health Problems Associated with Violence against Women?" Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice 7(7): 10–23 (Winter 2014).