Date of Conferral

3-13-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Virginia Smith

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health crisis that disproportionately affects African American and Latina women due to systemic barriers, cultural stigmas, and inadequate culturally competent support services. This qualitative study explored the experiences of English-speaking African American and Latina women aged 23 to 60 in seeking culturally competent assistance for IPV in the United States. Using a generic qualitative research design and relational-cultural theory as a theoretical framework, this study examined how cultural beliefs and values influence help-seeking behaviors and the perceived adequacy of IPV support services. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had previously sought IPV assistance, and thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in their experiences. Findings indicate that cultural factors such as familial obligations, religious beliefs, and mistrust of institutions significantly impact women’s decisions to seek help. Additionally, participants reported that many existing IPV services lacked cultural sensitivity, often reinforcing barriers to effective intervention and support. The study contributes to positive social change by highlighting the need for culturally tailored IPV services that acknowledge and integrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of survivors. These findings have implications for policy, service providers, and advocacy efforts, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency in human services to improve outcomes for IPV survivors. These findings also have implications for social determinants of health in relation to personal safety.

Download

Share

 
COinS