Coping and Protective Factors of Mental Health: An Examination of African American and US Caribbean Black Women Exposed to IPV from a Nationally Representative Sample

Regina N Parnell; Krim K Lacey; Maxine Wood

doi:10.3390/ijerph192215343

Coping and Protective Factors of Mental Health: An Examination of African American and US Caribbean Black Women Exposed to IPV from a Nationally Representative Sample

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 20;19(22):15343. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215343.

Authors

Regina N Parnell¹, Krim K Lacey², Maxine Wood³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Occupational Therapy, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
² Department of Sociology and African and African American Studies, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA.
³ Department of Humanities, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.

Abstract

Existing research continues to highlight the harm that intimate partner violence (IPV) can pose to health and well-being. However, little is done to understand the effectiveness of coping and protective mechanisms in helping women manage under adverse circumstances. The current study addresses the mental health of US Black women and the role of coping and protective moderators. An analysis of data from the National Survey of American Life (2001-2003), the most comprehensive survey on the health of US Blacks, was conducted. The association between severe physical intimate partner violence and mental health outcomes were confirmed. Resilience moderated the relationship between severe intimate partner violence and mood disorder among US Black women, but this differed between African American and Caribbean Blacks. Resilience, emotional family support, and spirituality reduced the likelihood of having a mental health condition for some African American and Caribbean Black women, while the opposite was found for religiosity. Demographic factors were also associated with mental health conditions and behaviors. The study draws our attention to potential coping and protective mechanisms that could be incorporated into counseling and intervention practices while recognizing factors that may be harmful to the mental health of individuals.

Keywords: IPV; mental health; religiosity; resilience; social support; spirituality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Black or African American*
Caribbean Region
Female
Humans
Intimate Partner Violence*
Mental Health
Protective Factors

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the University of Michigan-Dearborn Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and funded by a scholar grant [P/G U)059355].