ETHNIC DIFFERENCE IN THE EFFECTS OF COERCION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND THE USE OF THERAPY

摘要

The present study investigated ethnic differences in the relationships between partner violence victimization, mental health symptoms and the use of mental health services. Participants (N = 560) were asked if they had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and/or mental health symptoms, and if they had used mental health services. Bivariate analyses revealed that White respondents were more likely to use mental health services but the relationship between experiencing higher rates of partner violence with higher prevalence of mental health symptoms was stronger among ethnic minority respondents. Multivariate analyses revealed that both White and minority respondents who reported using professional mental health services were more likely to have reported higher prevalence of mental health symptoms. However, significant relationships between past coercion violence and the use of mental health services were found only among minority respondents and not among White participants. Taken together, these findings suggest that coercion has a differential effect on victims from minority groups, which may influence their decision-making to seek out professional mental health services.