Exploring the Mediating Link Between Stressful Life Events, Adverse Psychological Effects, and IPV Victimization
Abstract
Purpose: Research has established that violent victimization is influenced by a variety of life events and psychological effects. However, limited research has examined this relationship with a specific type of victimization, such as intimate partner violence (IPV). To fill this gap in the literature, this study aims to test whether stressful life conditions induce adverse psychological effects on a person, which then may lead to IPV victimization. Methods: To test this, a series of regression analyses are conducted. Data from the American subsample of the International Dating Violence Study (n = 4,162) are analyzed to test the link between stressful life conditions, adverse psychological effects, and IPV victimization. Results: Stressful life events induce adverse psychological effects on a person, which did lead to IPV victimization. While results indicate that depressive symptoms do not mediate the relationship, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) do. Conclusion: Ultimately, this study highlights the need to further understand the mediating mechanisms of victimization. An implication can be that IPV victimization may be minimized by reducing stressful life events in a person's life. Potential explanations and future directions are discussed.
Subject Area
Criminology|Mental health
Recommended Citation
Torres-Rivera, Valeria, "Exploring the Mediating Link Between Stressful Life Events, Adverse Psychological Effects, and IPV Victimization" (2023). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI30491409.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI30491409