Social support and intimate partner violence among women with HIV/AIDS

Yasoda Sharma; Vijayan Pillai

doi:10.1921/swssr.v18i1.848

Authors

Yasoda Sharma Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Vijayan Pillai University of Texas, Arlington

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/swssr.v18i1.848

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between Social Support and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among women living with HIV/AIDS. During the fall of 2011, women living with HIV/AIDS and receiving services from AIDS Outreach Center located in the southwestern part of the United States were recruited to participate in a study through the purposive sampling method. They were asked to complete surveys about their HIV/AIDS diagnosis, the level of IPV experienced, and their level of social support. Sixty-four women completed the Revised Conflict Tactic Scale (Straus et al., 1996), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988), and a HIV/AIDS Questionnaire. The majority (51.6%) of the research participants were African-Americans with a mean age of 46 years. Many women in the study were separated/divorced (34.4%); 29.7 % were married and 12.5% were cohabiting. Social support (β = -.206, p<.05) significantly predicted severity of emotional violence experienced by women living with HIV/AIDS.. This research emphasizes on the importance of teaching social work students about the co-occurrence of IPV and HIV/AIDS.

Author Biographies

Yasoda Sharma, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Assistant Professor, Department of Social Wor

Vijayan Pillai, University of Texas, Arlington

Professor, School of Social Work

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