Childhood Maltreatment Among Hispanic Women in the United States

Abstract

Prevalence rates of childhood maltreatment among Hispanic women in the United States are presented separately for nativity status and ethnic origin subgroups, and the associations between different types of maltreatment and the development of anxiety and depressive disorders are examined. Analyses used self-report data from 1,427 Hispanic women who participated in the National Latino and Asian American Survey. Foreign-born Hispanic women compared to U.S.-born Hispanic women reported significantly lower rates of sexual assault and witnessing interpersonal violence, and a significantly higher rate of being beaten. Ethnic subgroups reported similar rates of maltreatment, with the exception of rape. Bivariate analyses were remarkably consistent in that regardless of nativity status or ethnic subgroup, each type of maltreatment experience increased the risk of psychiatric disorder. In multivariate models controlling for all types of victimization and proxies of acculturation, having been beaten and witnessing interpersonal violence remained significant predictors of both disorders, but sexual abuse increased risk of anxiety only. A significant interaction effect of family cultural conflict and witnessing violence on anxiety provided very limited support for the hypothesis that acculturation moderates the influence of maltreatment on mental health outcomes. Implications for culturally relevant prevention and intervention approaches are presented.

Barriers to Treatment Engagement for Depression among Latinas

“…However, among people living in poverty, rates of childhood maltreatment (including sexual abuse) are considerably higher at 49% (Gilbert et al, 2009;Widom, Weiler, & Cottler, 1999). In addition, Puerto Ricans had higher rates of childhood sexual abuse than Mexican or Cuban women (Warner et al, 2012). This might explain the very high rates of childhood sexual abuse and maltreatment found in this study of impoverished, predominantly Puerto Rican women.…”

“…Large scale epidemiological research among Hispanics indicates that rates of GBV, specifically childhood sexual abuse, and childhood maltreatment are similar to non-Latino white populations at 15.3% and 33%, respectively (Warner et al, 2012). However, among people living in poverty, rates of childhood maltreatment (including sexual abuse) are considerably higher at 49% (Gilbert et al, 2009;Widom, Weiler, & Cottler, 1999).…”

“…The Latino male role of protecting and providing for the family also may preserve family functioning (Arciniega, Anderson, Tovar Blank, & Tracey, 2008). However, dominating forms of machismo combined with self-sacrificing female gender roles or marianismo may increase the likelihood of violence within the family (Warner et al, 2012). There is little literature that examines these factors among people who have been referred for depression treatment and are in the process of deciding whether to seek care (Interian et al, 2007).…”

Linkages Between Childhood Maltreatment, Intimate Partner Violence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Pregnant Hispanic Women: A Network Analysis

“…The present study was limited to categorizing the present sample as those who identified as Hispanic. There is considerable diversity among individuals who identify as Hispanic and it is unclear how additional factors beyond trauma exposure, such as career and life stressors, poverty, region, and country of origin, may contribute to PTSD (Warner et al, 2012). Furthermore, participants were all fluent in English.…”

How the Interaction of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Gender Relates to HIV Risk Practices among Urban-Dwelling African Americans

“…Also limited in the scientific literature is research on the differential impact of sexual abuse experiences among different racial groups although admittedly, during the past decade, a number of studies have addressed the issue of sexual abuse among African American girls and women [2,37-40]. Even less is known about African American men and their experiences with sexual abuse.…”