Intimate Partner Violence and Well-Being Among Indigenous Women: The Impact of Social Reactions on Trauma and Mental Health

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive public health crisis, defined by physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner. Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by IPV due to the overlapping effects of colonization, historical trauma, systemic inequality, and barriers to support. These experiences can contribute to a range of adverse mental health outcomes. Importantly, how others respond to survivors’ disclosures can shape their recovery and psychological well-being. This study examined the relationship between social reactions to IPV disclosure and mental health outcomes among Indigenous women. Drawing on historical trauma theory, intersectionality, and social support frameworks, we conducted a cross-sectional study using quantitative survey data from 32 Indigenous women recruited from domestic violence shelters in the Northern Great Plains region of the United States. Participants completed validated measures assessing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, emotional processing difficulties (i.e., alexithymia), and post-traumatic growth. Spearman’s correlation analyses were conducted to examine associations between types of social reactions and psychological outcomes. Findings revealed that negative social reactions (e.g., blame or dismissal) were significantly associated with higher levels of PTSD, depression, and emotional difficulties, and with lower levels of post-traumatic growth. Positive social reactions were not significantly associated with improved mental health outcomes. These results underscore the harmful effects of unsupportive responses to IPV disclosures and the importance of fostering supportive, culturally grounded environments that promote healing, resilience, and survival, particularly within Indigenous communities.

Keywords

intimate partner violence social reactions trauma response violence

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