Community Resource Use Among Abused Immigrant Women: Baseline Data Analysis for a 7-Year Prospective Study

摘要

Purpose: To determine the community resources most often used, most needed, and most difficult to use for immigrants. Design: A naturalistic study using principles of community-based participatory research. Method: A group of 106 abused immigrant women were interviewed in person with the Community Agency Use, Frequency, Helpfulness, and Difficulty form as part of a 7-year prospective study. Results: The most frequently noted service needed most was counseling (n = 34, 33.0%) followed by legal services (n = 23, 22.3%) and social services (n = 13, 12.6%). Law enforcement was the most commonly used service (n = 63, 59.4%) and the most difficult to receive (n = 16, 48.5%). Counseling (n = 6, 18.2%) and legal services (n = 5, 15.2%) were also reported as difficult. Discussion: Law enforcement is often called on to help in partner violence, but immigrant women report difficulty in using this service. Conclusions: Abused immigrant women have risk factors for abuse, and they face barriers in accessing the services they need. Implications for Practice: It is important for service providers in the community to be aware of the unique challenges of abused immigrant women and to address their needs accordingly.