Intimate Partner Violence Among Undocumented Spanish Speaking Immigrants: Prevalence and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Philadelphia

Abstract

Background: Although prior research has established intimate partner violence (IPV) as a widespread public health problem in the U.S., little is known about IPV prevalence and help seeking behaviors in undocumented Latina immigrants Purpose: This study seeks to contribute new knowledge to the study of IPV by describing IPV prevalence, help seeking behaviors, and health outcomes of undocumented Spanish-speaking immigrant women who have experienced lifetime intimate partner violence. . Methods: Two hundred undocumented Spanish-speaking women were recruited from urban healthcare centers to complete a survey about women's health to assess IPV, major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and health-related quality (HRQL) of life. Qualitative interviews were completed with community health workers serving this population and immigrant survivors of violence. Results: Sixty-nine (34.5%) of the women in the sample screened positive for lifetime IPV and of these women, 56.6% sought help from either formal or informal sources as a result of the violence. Of the entire sample, 41.5% endorsed major depressive disorder and 16% endorsed post-traumatic stress disorder. In the unadjusted logistic regression models, IPV survivors were more likely to endorse MDD and PTSD and report low mental health HRQL scores (OR: 2.27, 3.45, 2.19, respectively). In fully adjusted models, only the association between IPV and PTSD remained significant (OR: 4.143, CI: 1.21-14.24). Discussion: The findings highlight several help-seeking barriers among undocumented Spanish-speaking immigrant women who are the survivors of IPV. Language barriers and fears of family separation resulting from deportation and loss of child custody are unique help-seeking barriers for undocumented immigrants. There was an overall high prevalence of MDD and PTSD in the sample population, and an increased risk of PTSD in IPV survivors compared with non-survivors. Our findings highlight the need for quality mental health and trauma-informed services tailored to the needs of undocumented Spanish-speaking immigrant women, including increased access to mental health services in primary healthcare settings. Health and social service organizations serving this population should use this information to inform IPV treatment and prevention programs for women.