The Relationship of Intimate Partner Violence and Major Depressive Disorder Through Social Support and Helplessness: A Quasi-genetically Informed Research Design

• In Event: Biosocial Criminology’s Progress Continues: More Minds, Data, and Findings

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionally suffer from a wide range of adverse outcomes including depression. A related line of research has provided preliminary evidence suggesting that variability in depression and depressive symptoms may be explained in part by a complex combination of genetic and environmental influences. This evidence suggests that considering such factors may provide greater insight into the underlying mechanisms that ultimately connect IPV victimization and depression. The current study contributes to the existing literature by examining whether two specific sources of environmental influence, levels of social support and feelings of helplessness, mediate the association between IPV victimization and major depressive disorder (MDD). The study also uses a unique methodology which partially accounts for genetic influences on the examined association. Data from the National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative sample of adults from the United States was used. The results indicate that lower levels of social support and increased feelings of helplessness significantly mediate the association between IPV victimization and MDD. The theoretical and methodological implications of these findings are discussed in more detail.

Authors

• Bradon Valgardson, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Joseph A. Schwartz, University of Nebraska at Omaha