Main, mediating, and moderating effects of social support on the well-being of survivors of intimate partner violence across 2 years.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is a serious and pervasive social problem with deleterious consequences for survivors' well-being. The current study involved interviewing 160 survivors 6 times over 2 years to examine the role of social support in explaining or buffering these negative psychological consequences. The authors examined both between- and within-persons variability to explore women's trajectories regarding their experiences of abuse, social support, depression, and quality of life (QOL). Findings revealed the complex role of social support on women's well-being. Evidence was found for main, mediating, and moderating effects of social support on women's well-being. First, social support was positively related to QOL and negatively related to depression. Social support also partially explained the effect of baseline level and subsequent change in physical abuse on QOL and depression over time, partially mediated the effects of change in psychological abuse, and moderated the impact of abuse on QOL. The buffering effects of social support were strongest at lower levels of abuse. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.

Social support factors associated with psychological resilience among women survivors of intimate partner violence in Gauteng, South Africa

“…Social support, or the lack of it, is important in enabling or hindering perpetrators’ ability to sustain abusive relationships through social isolation of victims. Levels of social support are lower among abused women compared to non-abused women [26,28]. Moreover, mental ill health symptoms – for example, depression and suicidality – are heightened among victims who are more socially isolated [26,29].…”

“…Among abused women, seeking support from a network of people who are supportive and sympathetic enhances women’s coping skills and mitigates the adverse mental health outcomes of IPV [26,28–30]. On the contrary, in many instances women victims of abuse receive negative reactions from social resources who may blame, or be unsupportive.…”

Multiple Measures of Family and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being: An Additive Approach

“…They experience fewer health disruptions (Kwag, Martin, Russell, Franke, & Kohut, 2011), have better coping skills, are more socially (Taylor, Conger, Robins, & Widaman, 2015) and emotionally (Gonzalez, Stein, & Kiang, 2014) competent, have better overall physical and mental health and have a healthier view and quality of life (Beeble, Bybee, Sullivan, & Adams, 2009;Sarason et al, 1983). Those lacking healthy social relationships and supports, on the other hand, experience increased depressive symptoms (Pagel, Erdly, & Becker, 1987), and other psychological problems (DeLongis, Folkman, & Lazarus, 1988).…”

‘Moving beyond violence’: Exploring new ways to support women and develop networked approaches following intimate partner violence

“…Indeed, women most frequently use informal networks when seeking alternatives to violence (Fanslow & Robinson, 2010;Goodman & Smyth, 2011). Moreover, access to informal social support during and after violence is critical to their chances of mental health and well-being, and their capacity to work (Beeble, Bybee, Sullivan, & Adams, 2009;Dodd, 2009;Perrin, Yragui, Hanson, & Glass, 2011;Suvak, Taft, Goodman, & Dutton, 2013). Consequently, interventions recognising/nurturing these patterns are to be encouraged -and complement Crichton-Hill's (2010, p. 17) call for 'collaboration across communities'.…”

“…Consequently, interventions recognising/nurturing these patterns are to be encouraged -and complement Crichton-Hill's (2010, p. 17) call for 'collaboration across communities'. In building a local 'beyond violence' initiative that addressed such formal-and-informal networking, Jigsaw Central Lakes thus turned to a combination of social work traditions in group-work, feminist and anti-oppressive principles (Allen, 2011;Burke & Harrison, 2009;Dominelli, 2002;Fuchsel & Hysjulien, 2013;Lindsay & Orton, 2011;Tutty et al, 1996), as well as specific trauma-informed recommendations on supporting women's recovery and exploration and development of 'control, choice and connection' (Beeble et al, 2009;Goodman et al, 2010, p. 3;Suvak et al, 2013;Wozniak & Allen, 2012). Goodman and colleagues' networked and 'full-frame' approaches (Goodman & Smyth, 2011;Smyth, Goodman & Glenn, 2006, p. 489), and Dobl and Ross's (2013) example of collaborative community social work have also inspired our initiative.…”