TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Victimization, psychological distress, and help-seeking: Disentangling the relationship for Latina victims
JO  - Psychology of violence
A1  - Cuevas, Carlos A.
A1  - Bell, Kristin A.
A1  - Sabina, Chiara
SP  - 196
EP  - 209
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
N2  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the role of help-seeking on the victimization-psychological distress link. Specifically, we aim to determine whether help-seeking is associated with various forms of psychological distress among victims of interpersonal violence. <br><br>METHOD: This study used data from the Sexual Assault Among Latinas (SALAS) Study, which surveyed 2,000 Latino women using random digit dial methodology, and queried participants about lifetime victimization, help-seeking behaviors associated with victimization, and psychological distress. Using linear regression with a subsample of the women who experienced victimization in adulthood (N = 242), we evaluated the association of victimization, cultural variables, formal help-seeking, and informal help-seeking on psychological distress. Subsequently, we also evaluated the relationship of each specific form of help-seeking on current psychological distress. <br><br>RESULTS: Results suggest that formal help-seeking but not informal help-seeking was associated with lower psychological distress among Latino women. Specifically, formal help-seeking was associated with decreased levels of current depression, anger, dissociation, and anxiety. When looking at specific forms of formal help-seeking, reporting to police was the main form of help-seeking associated with decreased levels of current psychological distress. Interaction effects also showed the victimization--anger relationship was stronger for those with higher Latino orientation that were neither of Mexican nor Cuban descent. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The results support the importance of promoting formal help-seeking behaviors, particularly police reporting, as a way of decreasing the negative psychological impact of victimization. Among Latinas, cultural factors and ethnicity need to be taken into consideration to better understand help-seeking behaviors and emotional functioning.<p />
LA  - en
SN  - 2152-0828
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0035819
ID  - ref1
ER  -