Citation

Ramos BM, Carlson BE. Affilia 2004; 19(3): 239-256.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886109904265790

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Domestic violence has adverse consequences on the mental health of abused women, including Latinas, who face stressors that are associated with oppression, resettlement, and minority status, which increase their risk of abuse and its psychological distress. This article presents a descriptive study of lifetime abuse (seven types of childhood abuse and abuse by adult partners) and mental health in a small sample of English-speaking Latinas. Depression, anxiety, and somatization were studied in relation to lifetime abuse. The findings revealed that recent emotional abuse was associated with distress, which was manifested in anxiety, and that childhood abuse elevated the risk of victimization in adulthood. Implications for feminist social work practice are discussed.