Open AccessImpact of Sources of Strengths on Coping and Safety of Immigrant Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Author(s) -
Bushra Sabri,
Karissa Avig,
Sarah M. Murray,
Veronica Njie-Carr,
Ann Young,
Amelia Noor-Oshiro,
Joyell Arscott,
Jill T. Messing,
Jacquelyn C. Campbell
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
affilia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1552-3020
pISSN - 0886-1099
DOI - 10.1177/0886109920978560
Subject(s) - snowball sampling , domestic violence , thematic analysis , immigration , social support , optimism , abusive relationship , mental health , coping (psychology) , qualitative research , medicine , gerontology , psychology , nonprobability sampling , poison control , suicide prevention , criminology , environmental health , social psychology , political science , sociology , psychiatry , population , law , social science , pathology
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a national and international public health and human rights concern. Immigrant women are disproportionately affected by IPV that includes homicides. This study explored the perspectives of survivors of IPV, who are immigrants to the United States, regarding their sources of strength that enhance their safety and promote coping in abusive relationships. Data for this qualitative study were collected from ethnically diverse immigrant women residing in Massachusetts, Arizona, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New York, Minnesota, and California, using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Eighty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with adult immigrant survivors of IPV who self-identified as Asian ( n = 30), Latina ( n = 30), and African ( n = 23). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Women identified both external (e.g., community support, support from social service agencies) and internal (e.g., optimism, faith, beliefs) sources of strength. The study highlights how these sources can adequately address needs of survivors and offers areas for improvement in services for survivors. The findings are informative for practitioners serving immigrant survivors of IPV in legal, social service, and physical and mental health settings.