Does powerlessness explain the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression?

Abstract

The current study aimed to test whether relationship power could act as a mediator of the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression. The proposed mediation model was based on the theory of gender and power and on previous research of intimate partner violence and depression. Survey results from a sample of 327 single undergraduate women lent support to the hypothesis stating that relationship power accounts for some of the association between intimate partner violence and depression. Results revealed that women who felt powerless had higher rates of intimate violence victimization and higher levels of depression; a mediation analysis revealed that sexual relationship power mediated the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression. Future interventions targeting the prevention of intimate partner violence among young women may want to utilize an empowerment approach to decrease their likelihood of experiencing dating violence victimization and their subsequent risk for depression.