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Abstract #156697

Daisy Morales-Campos, MA, Health Promotion/Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houst, 7000 Fannin St., 2576A, Houston, TX 77030, (713) 500-9656, Daisy.Y.Morales-Campos@uth.tmc.edu, Myriam Casillas, MPH, CHES, Health Promotion/Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, El Paso Regional Campus, 1100 N. Stanton, Suite 110, El Paso, TX 79902, and Sheryl A. McCurdy, PhD, School of Public Health, University of Texas Houston Health Sciences Center, 7000 Fannin #2520, Houston, TX 77030.

Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions for preventing gender-based violence and/or abuse, especially in Hispanic populations. The paper examines the support group intervention provided by a Houston area community-based organization that assists families, primarily women and children, living with gender-based violence and/or abuse. In-depth interviews and internal documents were used to examine the structure and processes of the support group intervention. Thirty interviews were conducted with Hispanic women who participated in the intervention about their experiences with the support group. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify common themes relating to women's experiences. Overall, the women enjoyed the benefits of the support group and its offerings. Women are taught to manage situations and emotions, as well as to become less dependent on the abuser. These lessons take place within the context of the support group. Most importantly, women became more aware of their self-worth and value, and most make steady progress toward achieving self-sufficiency and making changes within their family. It appears the underlying hypothesis of the support group—that helping women who are experiencing gender-based violence and/or abuse by providing information and interpersonal support can change the victim's behavior and impact the dynamics within her family—is correct. Given the positive response to the support group intervention, it is clear that this and other programs should continue to reach out into the community and offer a safe haven for Hispanic women living with gender-based violence and/or abuse.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify factors influencing Hispanic women to seek assistance for gender-based violence
• Describe the benefits of support groups for Hispanic women living with gender-based violence
• Assess the effectiveness of support group interventions for gender-based violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.