Factors that impact help-seeking among battered Black women: application of critical and survivor theories.

Research in the area of help-seeking among battered individuals suggests that those in need of such assistance are often reluctant to seek out formal help for domestic violence. Therefore, this study sought to determine how factors of social support, spirituality, coping, and resilience influence help-seeking among battered Black women making a decision in seeking help from social service agencies as a result of domestic violence. Participants included 75 Black women who currently and/or recently resided in a domestic violence shelter. The study participants came from three rural communities located in the regional area of the southern United States. A quantitative approach based on a quasi-experimental survey design was used to investigate data collected from each participant.