Gender Analysis of Victimization on Mental Health Outcomes among Latinx Adults

• In Event: Victimization Consequences Among Different Populations

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate how gender interacts with victimization and cultural variables to alter mental health consequences among Latinx adults.
Methods: 910 Latinx adults from Boston, San Diego, and Houston were recruited through partnerships (community agencies) and self-selection during local Latinx-focused events through Spring/Summer 2018. The survey evaluated experiences with multiple forms of victimization in their lifetimes and past year. Mental health was measured using depression, anxiety, anger, and dissociation scales of the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI). Additional cultural factors measured include immigration status, acculturation, acculturative stress, and self-perceived accent.
Results: Preliminary results show that women tend to have lower violent and property victimization rates than men. However, sexual victimization is significantly higher for women. Multivariate analyses aim to evaluate how gender interacts with victimization and cultural factors related to mental health outcomes.
Conclusions: Victimization research on gender violence typically focuses on the general population, emphasizing persons of color lagging behind, including the Latinx population. Past research displays conflicting victimization rates and sampling methodologies. However, these studies showcase the need to inaugurate inclusive occurrence victimization estimates and understand multiple forms of victimization that the Latinx community may experience. The findings of this gender-focused analysis will help fill in the gaps currently present.

Authors

• Amelia Wagner, Northeastern University

• Carlos A. Cuevas, Northeastern University