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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sherry Lipsky, PhD, MPH and Raul Caetano, MD, PhD. Dallas Regional Campus, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 75390-9128, 214-648-1013, sherry.lipsky@utsouthwestern.edu

Aims: To examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and 1) unmet need for mental health treatment (perceived need for but did not receive treatment), and 2) reasons for unmet need for treatment in the past year among women in the general population. Methods: The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was utilized and included Black, Hispanic, and White female cohabiting respondents 18-49 years of age. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Approximately 19% of IPV victims and 8% of nonvictims reported unmet need for mental health treatment. Victims were twice as likely (AOR 1.99; CI 1.20, 3.71) as nonvictims to report unmet need, above and beyond socioeconomic factors, substance abuse, and serious mental illness. In addition, Hispanic women were significantly less likely (AOR 0.55; CI 0.31, 0.96) than White women to report unmet need. In race/ethnicity-specific models, Hispanic and White victims, but not Black victims, were significantly more likely than their nonvictim counterparts to report unmet need for treatment. Women reported cost most frequently (47%) as the reason for not seeking treatment, followed by potential stigma (28%), ability to handle on their own (14%), and inconvenience (14%); no significant differences were found between victims and nonvictims or race/ethnicity groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that women IPV victims are at increased risk of experiencing barriers to mental health care. Economic, social, and structural barriers affected all women, although barriers specific to victims were not identified.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the risk factors associated with unmet need for mental health treatment among the three major race/ethnicity groups in the U.S.
• List five main reasons why women do not seek mental health care.
• Discuss the implications of unmet need for mental health treatment for intimate partner violence victims.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No