To access this work you must either be on the Smith College campus OR have valid Smith login credentials.

On Campus users: To access this work if you are on campus please Select the Download button.

Off Campus users: To access this work from off campus, please select the Off-Campus button and enter your Smith username and password when prompted.

Non-Smith users: You may request this item through Interlibrary Loan at your own library.

Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Intimate partner violence, Victims of violent crimes-Psychology, Poor African Americans-Psychology, African American women-Abuse of, African American women-Psychology, Suicide-Psychology, Social work with African Americans, Suicide ideation, African American Women, Intersectionality, Social work

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicidality are two major issues within our society that impact low income African Americans. African American women disproportionately experience IPV at high levels. IPV has been linked to suicide ideation and behavior. Both IPV and suicide ideation are understudied issues in the literature. This study examined the relationship between IPV and suicidality and three other variables that mediate the IPV-suicide link in a sample of low income African American women. Thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and social support from family and friends were predicted mediating variables. Descriptive statistics, correlations and mediational models were used to analyze data. Correlations were found between suicide ideation and both forms of IPV (physical and non-physical), interpersonal needs (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and social support from family. Though interpersonal needs (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) were not significantly correlated with IPV the model explained 22% of the variance in suicide ideation. Neither interpersonal needs nor social support mediated the IPV-suicide link. Explanations are discussed as well as implications for social work practice and the mental health field at large.

Language

English

Comments

vi, 199 pages. Ph.D. Dissertation-Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Ma., 2015. Includes bibliographical references (page 101-109)

Share

COinS