Domestic abuse, sexual trauma, and welfare receipt: Prevalence, effects, and implications for poverty theory.

摘要

Though research on domestic violence has grown significantly over the last several decades, few studies have attempted to assess the prevalence of abuse in the lives of women living in poverty. Especially lacking are any investigations which examine this subject in the context of the very poor---those living on Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), now, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).; This project establishes rates of past and current domestic violence in a representative sample of 846 welfare recipients in Passaic County, New Jersey. The study found that 57% of respondents experienced physical abuse during their lifetime, with 15% currently involved. Measures of emotional and verbal abuse revealed a lifetime prevalence of 67%, and a current incidence of 25%. When indices of sexual trauma were included with all forms of abuse, 78% of the sample were affected.; The study also ascertained rates of homelessness, drug and alcohol use, and depression in the public assistance sample. Lifetime episodes of homelessness approached 33%, while substance abuse and depression were measured at 27% and 68% respectively.; Correlational and multivariate analyses indicated that domestic violence was associated with a number of psycho-social variables which influenced time spent on welfare and attempts at self-sufficiency.; In addition to survey analyses, the project employed in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a sample of 25 welfare mothers who had self-identified as past or present victims of abuse. The qualitative analyses revealed patterns of isolation, interference, and control which acted as barriers to education, training, and employment.; The quantitative and qualitative components of the study suggest a connection between domestic violence and poverty. This heretofore unidentified variable must now be considered in discussions of social policy, and the completeness of poverty theory.