Abstract
Purpose
This study reveals various patterns of IPV polyvictimization experiences among female survivors and examines interconnected relationships between IPV polyvictimization experiences and help seeking from various help sources, moderated by survivors’ race/ethnicity.
Methods
The study sample included 4,764 female survivor selected from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in 2010. We first conducted a latent class analysis (LCA) to classify IPV polyvictimization based on seven IPV types. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between IPV polyvictimization and help-seeking (police, doctor, and psychologist). Interaction terms between race/ethnicity and polyvictimization were tested for moderating effects of race/ethnicity.
Results
LCA revealed three polyvictimization patterns: (1) Multiple Violence (MV), (2) Physical and Psychological Violence (PPV), (3) Psychological Violence (PV). Compared to survivors of PV, survivors of MV and PPV were more likely to seek all types of help. Black survivors were more likely to contact police than White survivors. Compared to White survivors, Black and Hispanic survivors were less likely to see psychologists. Black survivors of MV were less likely to talk to police than White survivors of MV.
Conclusions
A severe form of polyvictimization was associated with a greater need for professional help than other types of polyvictimization. Racial/ethnic minority survivors’ complicated relationship with police and less use of mental health services need to be further examined. Access to legal and mental health services by racial and ethnic minority survivors could be improved by enhanced cultural sensitivity and increased awareness of different cultures within these areas.