Julia O'Connor, Shelleta Ladonice, Bethany Backes, Bryanna Diaz, Leila Wood
{"title":"Mental Health Outcomes Among Non-English Primary Language Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.","authors":"Julia O'Connor, Shelleta Ladonice, Bethany Backes, Bryanna Diaz, Leila Wood","doi":"10.1891/VV-2025-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/VV-2025-0021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study compares the mental health outcomes of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) whose primary language is not English with those of survivors whose primary language is English. A total of 126 IPV survivors were recruited for this study, many of whom identified as Latiné (42.86%). We examined the relationship between primary language (English vs. non-English) and mental health outcomes, including mental health issues and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as well as the role of social support in this relationship. The results indicate that participants who do not speak English as their primary language were less likely to report mental health issues and lower levels of PTSD symptoms compared with their English-primary-speaking counterparts. However, social support did not significantly influence the relationship between primary language and mental health outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the experiences of non-English primary-speaking survivors and the support systems that can help mitigate the effects of IPV.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147692897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparing Battered and Nonbattered Women's Reasons for Staying in Intimate Relationships.","authors":"David Mehlhausen-Hassoen, Zeev Winstok","doi":"10.1891/VV-2025-0052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/VV-2025-0052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines why women stay in intimate relationships, comparing battered and nonbattered women. Grounded in exchange theory and learned helplessness theory, it explores whether positive reasons (e.g., perceived benefits) and negative reasons (e.g., perceived barriers) for staying form distinct factors and how these reasons vary across three groups: women never battered, previously battered, and recently battered. A sample of 926 Israeli women completed an online questionnaire assessing positive and negative reasons for staying. Factor analysis tested the structure of reasons, and analysis of variance compared differences across groups. Correlational analyses examined relationships between positive and negative reasons. Factor analysis confirmed a single factor for positive reasons and three for negative reasons (\"fear of failure,\" \"fear of terror,\" and \"captivity\"). Nonbattered women reported the highest levels of positive reasons, whereas recently battered women reported the highest levels of negative reasons. Positive and negative reasons were negatively correlated, supporting their balancing effect. Even battered women cited positive reasons, though at lower rates. The findings challenge binary portrayals of women as either choosing to stay or being trapped. The decision to stay is shaped by a complex interplay of positive and negative factors, with exchange theory explaining positive reasons and learned helplessness theory explaining negative barriers. The study calls for nuanced approaches to intimate partner violence, moving beyond simplistic questions like \"Why don't you leave?\" to empowering women by addressing both perceived benefits and barriers. The validated measurement tools developed offer valuable resources for future research and interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mass Shootings in Public Places: Continuities and Complexities.","authors":"Kathryn Farr","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0170","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined 71 mass shootings carried out by a single individual who opened fire on random victims in a public setting. Findings indicate that the (all-male) shooters commonly showed signs of anger, isolation, and marginalization. Many were motivated by a perceived grievance. However, among the sizeable group of young White men, extremist, hate-based ideologies often served as motivations. While very few of the shooters had been formally diagnosed, a number had shown signs of mental illness or suicidal tendencies, and close to 30% committed suicide following their attacks. The shooters typically carried out their attacks with semi-automatic guns and high-capacity magazines. Suggested preventative actions included attention to warning signs and gun control measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"26-48"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in College Health Settings: A Brief Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Research and Practice.","authors":"Shelleta Ladonice, Julie M Olomi, Bethany Backes, Eduarda Santana Santos, Amy Reckdenwald","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0117","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This brief review proposes a set of empirically based recommendations for the development and implementation of screening measures for intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) in campus health settings. We synthesize the current literature on IPV/SA screening practices on college campuses. Given the limited research available on this topic, we also draw on work related to IPV screeners in general health care settings and campus climate surveys. There is limited research on IPV/SA screening practices for college campuses. Findings indicate that IPV/SA screening practices are rare and inconsistent in student health care settings. In addition, there are methodological limitations regarding the utility of general population screeners in college health settings. Recommendations for IPV college screeners are provided and address administration, content, and organizational structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"151-162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144162737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When Love Hurts: The Path From Psychological Maltreatment to Disordered Eating via Negative Cognitive Coping in Emerging Adult Women.","authors":"Erin Hillard, Melanie D Hetzel-Riggin","doi":"10.1891/VV-2023-0076","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2023-0076","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psychological maltreatment is a prevalent form of interpersonal abuse in romantic relationships, with many victims reporting their first experience before the age of 25 years. Such maltreatment correlates with a number of negative mental health problems, including the development of negative body esteem and disordered eating. This study examined links between psychological maltreatment, body image, and disordered eating and assessed negative cognitive coping strategies (e.g., self-blame and detachment) as mediators of this relationship. Participants were 226 undergraduate women at a midwestern U.S. university who completed measures of psychological maltreatment, coping styles, and various body image and disordered eating inventories. We found that psychological maltreatment was associated with decreases in body esteem and increases in disordered eating behavior. Additionally, for disordered eating and overweight preoccupation, negative cognitive coping mediated these effects. Findings highlight the benefits of therapeutic strategies emphasizing the importance of healthy cognitive coping and social support, especially for the prevention of body image disturbance and disordered eating in victims of psychological maltreatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"127-150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145726684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Grace Clayton, Calli Tzani, Maria Ioannou, Thomas James Vaughan Williams, Rebecca Gunn, Rachel Fletcher
{"title":"The Escalation of Stalking Into Homicide: A Thematic Analysis of Offender Behaviors, Policing Failures, and the Requirement for a Stalker's Register and Risk Assessment Tool.","authors":"Grace Clayton, Calli Tzani, Maria Ioannou, Thomas James Vaughan Williams, Rebecca Gunn, Rachel Fletcher","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0161","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With stalking and an escalation of such concerning behaviors being highly present in cases of homicide, the current study uses thematic analysis to locate common and uncommon victim demographics, behavioral risk factors, and issues in policing. Gathered from public media sources, 32 cases of stalking that resulted in murder or attempted murder of the victim were examined regardless of jurisdiction or background factors. Females, aged 25 years and below, were most at risk of stalking-homicide conducted by a male perpetrator with whom they held a previous intimate relationship. Common themes within the demographics and behavioral risk factors were developed into a proposed risk factor checklist, while the issues in policing highlighted space for development in the investigation of stalking victims and stalking-homicide cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"88-105"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144498439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Celina Morales, Christopher J Rogers, Claudia M Toledo-Corral, Eunice M Areba, Myriam Forster
{"title":"Does Social Support Affect the Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination and Bullying Victimization Among First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Youth?","authors":"Celina Morales, Christopher J Rogers, Claudia M Toledo-Corral, Eunice M Areba, Myriam Forster","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0119","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adolescents who have high subjective experiences of perceived discrimination (PD) face an elevated risk of being bullied, both of which have been linked to adverse psychosocial outcomes. This study (a) assesses the association between PD and bullying victimization and (b) explores whether teacher support and family functioning moderate the hypothesized PD and bullying victimization relationship. Data are from Hispanic and Somali youth (<i>N</i> = 311, mean age = 15.9 years, standard deviation = 1.5) living in a midwestern city. About 75% of the sample reported some level of PD, and 33% reported bullying victimization. PD was associated with elevated incidence rate ratios of bullying victimization. Teacher support and family functioning were inversely associated with bullying victimization but did not moderate the relationship. These findings highlight the complex nature of social support in the PD and bullying victimization relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"49-66"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Addressing Service Gaps for Underserved Populations of Gender-Based Violence: Insights From a Midwestern State Needs Assessment Survey.","authors":"Ziwei Qi, Annalise Loucks, Suzanna Schneider","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0040","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the prevalence and service needs of underserved populations affected by gender-based violence (GBV) is significant, given that their experiences are often underreported, and existing services frequently fall short of addressing their needs effectively. In this study, \"underserved populations\" is an overarching term referring to groups historically marginalized, underrepresented, and inadequately supported as victims of GBV. The types of services examined in the study include both direct forms, such as shelter and advocacy, and indirect approaches, including systemic interventions and policy reform and advocacy. The study involved 41 survey responses, including advocates, victim shelter staff, case managers for domestic violence victims, law enforcement, and legal professionals in a Midwestern state. The findings have shown significant service disparities, especially in rural areas, due to insufficient funding and support infrastructure. These disparities are exacerbated by factors such as isolated locations, conservative political climates, LGBTQIA+-hostile legislation, and victim-blaming attitudes. To effectively address these service disparities, it is important to improve the accessibility of services in rural areas to ensure victims in a service desert can access the support they need. Furthermore, advocating for comprehensive statewide policies is necessary to create a supportive environment for survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"3-25"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144033432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lynn Langton, Nicholas Thomas, Jaclyn Houston-Kolnik, Peyton Attaway, Jenna Dole
{"title":"Geographic Disparities in Who Receives Victim Services.","authors":"Lynn Langton, Nicholas Thomas, Jaclyn Houston-Kolnik, Peyton Attaway, Jenna Dole","doi":"10.1891/VV-2023-0139","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2023-0139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study uses data from the National Crime Victimization Survey to examine geographic variations in the receipt of victim services for victims of violence. Research has long demonstrated that there are differences in victimization risk and who is victimized across different regions and by urbanicity. Examination of these differences when it comes to victim services has not been previously examined on a national level. Findings show that geography does matter in the likelihood of receiving services, especially for victims of serious violence, and even after controlling for other factors related to the use of victim services. The implications of the findings, possible explanations for the geographic differences, limitations of the study, and opportunities for future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"67-87"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of Domestic Violence on the Mental Health of Women and the Response Thereof: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Tanveer Ahmad Zoie, Ganesh Digal","doi":"10.1891/VV-2023-0160","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2023-0160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Domestic violence is a devastatingly pervasive global issue. It endangers women's rights to live a decent life and affects women physically, psychologically, sexually, and economically. The present article is an attempt to systematically study the mental health issues (like anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) among women victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a phenomenon of high prevalence among women, and its impact on their mental health needs further research. This systematic review identifies 35 studies through a search of the research databases on the impact of domestic violence on the mental health of women. Studies showed greater evidence that women victims of domestic violence have developed mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The type of exposure and the victim's time frame or exposure period determine how serious the violence is. The victim's reaction to domestic abuse and its mitigating effect will also be taken into consideration.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"163-188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144133218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}