Type:	Journal Article
Title:	The impact of family and friend's reactions on the well-being of women with abusive partners
Other Titles:	Violence against women
Authors:	Goodkind, Jessica R Gillum, Tameka L Bybee, Deborah Sullivan, Cris M
Keywords:	Informal responses
Year:	2003
Publisher:	Sage Publications
Citation:	9 (3), March 2003
Notes:	It has been found that social support might moderate the mental and physical problems endured by women who experience domestic violence. This study explores the disclosure of domestic abuse to family and friends and the consequent responses when revealed. Altogether, 137 women from diverse cultural backgrounds who exited a domestic violence shelter programme in the U.S. participated in the research. More than 90 per cent of the women talked with family and/or friends about the abuse. Emotional support was the most common response; tangible support and negative reactions were scarce. Situational and contextual factors such as the presence of children, threats to family and friends and level of violence were correlated with the responses. Some of the findings reveal that while married women were more likely to be emotionally supported, women who had previously separated and returned to their assailant were less likely to receive emotional support. The impact of the responses on the women’s well-being is also examined.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12549
ISSN:	1077-8012
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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