The Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadian Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Women Abused by Intimate Partners

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health, disabilities, and child abuse history were examined for 292 Indigenous compared with 295 non-Indigenous Canadian women. IPV was assessed by the Composite Abuse Scale and mental health by the Symptom Checklist-10, Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression 10, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist, and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Scores did not differ nor were they in the clinical ranges for the two groups. In a MANCOVA on the mental health/well-being scales, with IPV severity as a covariate, only disability was significantly associated with more severe mental health symptoms. Suggestions for service providers are presented.

Development, acceptability and construct validity of the Aboriginal Women’s Experiences of Partner Violence Scale (AEPVS): a co-designed, multiphase study nested within an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander birth cohort

“…A shorter, 18-item version focuses on emotional and physical violence. Both versions have been used extensively in Australian and international research 2 27–31. The Aboriginal Advisory Group recommended that the 18-item version be adapted and pretested with Aboriginal women to determine whether it would be appropriate for inclusion in the Wave 2 questionnaire.…”

“Why I Stayed in That Relationship”: Barriers to Indigenous Women’s Ability to Leave Violent Relationships

“…The consequences of IPV are profound, and IPV is associated with extensive mental health problems, disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse (Evans-Campbell et al, 2006;National Coalition Against Domestic Violence [NCADV], 2020a; Tutty et al, 2020). The psychosocial consequences of IPV on Indigenous women, children, and families are insidious (Burnette & Cannon, 2014).…”

“…The psychosocial consequences of IPV on Indigenous women, children, and families are insidious (Burnette & Cannon, 2014). In fact, a systematic review identifying the consequences of violence for Indigenous women in Canada described them as (a) ruptured familial connections (including postseparation IPV; revictimization by families, state and social systems, and legal systems); (b) emptiness, shame, hopelessness, resignation, dispiritedness, along with harmful substance use and sexual coping; (c) unmet and unheard needs for help, resulting in reduced help seeking; and (d) resilience drawn from children, culture, and spiritual healing (Williams et al, 2019).…”

“…However, women who leave IPV often still experience violence from their abuser, the state, and a patriarchal society that chronically undervalues and undermines their freedoms (Pedersen et al, 2013; Smye et al, 2020). Postseparation IPV has been found to be higher for Indigenous women than non-Indigenous groups, indicating that simply “leaving” is seldom a feasible or sufficient solution (Pedersen et al, 2013; Riel et al, 2014; Smye et al, 2020; Williams et al, 2019).…”

“…IPV rates are high for Indigenous males and females, with more than four in five experiencing such violence (National Institute of Justice, 2016). Violence against Indigenous women tends to be more severe than for men (Smye et al, 2020) and more severe than for non-Indigenous women (Williams et al, 2019).…”