Does Empowerment Mediate the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Mental Health? An Analysis Across Multiple Forms of IPV.

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which self-reported empowerment mediates the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and mental health symptomatology. Four forms of IPV-severe, harassment, psychological, and technology-facilitated IPV-and two mental health symptomatologies-depression and posttraumatic stress disorder-are examined. Data were collected from women who sought help from domestic violence service agencies in a U.S. Southwestern state. Results showed that all forms of IPV had both significant direct and indirect effects on mental health symptoms through empowerment, indicating that IPV is associated with increased mental health symptoms by, in part, diminishing one's empowerment levels. The findings underscore the importance of empowering survivors in the practice process.