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Differences in Effects of Domestic Violence Between Latina and Non-Latina Women

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Abstract

There has been much research on the effects of domestic violence on women; however, little research has focused on possible differences in reactions to domestic violence between Latina and non-Latina women. Comparable samples of Latina and non-Latina women were obtained and analyses revealed that there were no significant differences between the two samples with regard to the nature and severity of the domestic violence to which they were exposed. However, results indicated that Latina women who had been victims of domestic violence had significantly greater trauma-related symptoms, depression, lower social and personal self-esteem, and were less likely to make global attributions for positive events than were non-Latina women. They also reported more parenting stress due to their child's behaviors than did non-Latina women. The implications of these results in light of cultural differences between Latina and non-Latina women are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR, 97301, USA

    Meredyth Goldberg Edelson

  2. Department of Child and Family Development, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Audrey Hokoda

  3. Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, México City, México

    Luciana Ramos-Lira

Authors
  1. Meredyth Goldberg Edelson
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  2. Audrey Hokoda
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  3. Luciana Ramos-Lira
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Correspondence to Meredyth Goldberg Edelson.

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Edelson, M.G., Hokoda, A. & Ramos-Lira, L. Differences in Effects of Domestic Violence Between Latina and Non-Latina Women. J Fam Viol 22, 1–10 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-006-9051-1

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