BACKGROUND: Little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression among low income, urban African American and Hispanic adolescent females. METHOD: Interviews with 102 urban African American and Hispanic adolescent females examined physical abuse, emotional/verbal abuse, and threats, and their unique and combined associations with depression. RESULTS: One-quarter of the sample experienced all three types of abuse. Non-physical forms of IPV were significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Some urban adolescent females from lower income households experience high rates of IPV. Physical and non-physical forms of IPV are important in understanding and responding to depression in this population.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression among low income, urban African American and Hispanic adolescent females. METHOD: Interviews with 102 urban African American and Hispanic adolescent females examined physical abuse, emotional/verbal abuse, and threats, and their unique and combined associations with depression. RESULTS: One-quarter of the sample experienced all three types of abuse. Non-physical forms of IPV were significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Some urban adolescent females from lower income households experience high rates of IPV. Physical and non-physical forms of IPV are important in understanding and responding to depression in this population.
Authors: Danice K Eaton; Laura Kann; Steve Kinchen; Shari Shanklin; James Ross; Joseph Hawkins; William A Harris; Richard Lowry; Tim McManus; David Chyen; Connie Lim; Nancy D Brener; Howell Wechsler Journal: MMWR Surveill Summ Date: 2008-06-06