Intimate Partner Violence and Use of Welfare Services Among California Women

Authors

Rachel Kimerling, Palo Alto VA Health Care System
Nikki Baumrind, California Department of Social Services

Keywords

Intimate Partner Violence; TANF; Family Violence Option; mental health; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

The current study is a population-based investigation of the association between past-year exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and current welfare use, while also accounting for the effects of other violence experienced in adulthood and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These data indicate that acute exposure to intimate partner violence is significantly over-represented among women currently on welfare. However, it appears to be a woman's cumulative exposure to interpersonal violence and associated symptoms of PTSD that are uniquely associated with welfare participation. These data highlight the prevalence of violence against women and its consequences for this population. Results suggest that the prevention and detection of violence is an important welfare issue, and highlight the need for more research in this area.

Recommended Citation

Kimerling, Rachel and Baumrind, Nikki (2004) "Intimate Partner Violence and Use of Welfare Services Among California Women," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 31: Iss. 4, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3031
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol31/iss4/9