Health Inequities Related to Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: The Role of Social Policy in the United States, Germany, and Norway (Social Disparities in Health and Health Care)

This book examines the extent to which social position impacts exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and whether women with IPV exposure are more vulnerable to social inequities in health. At the intersection of sociological theories on health, gender, and policy, this book explores these issues against the social policy contexts of the United States, Germany, and Norway. It applies a conceptual framework which argues that differential exposure to IPV and differential vulnerability to poor health are two primary mechanisms driving health inequities for IPV survivors. Empirical analysis reveals context-specific nuances in the interactions of social position and IPV exposure in their impact on health, and suggests that encouraging women’s economic independence and ensuring access to health care are vital policy intervention points for reducing the health inequities of IPV survivors. This book offers a cross-national comparative look at the role of social policy in the lives of IPV survivors, highlighting the effects of various policy approaches in three modern welfare states and suggesting policy implications. Acknowledgements 6 Contents 8 Abbreviations 11 1 Introduction 13 Abstract 13 1.1 The Research Puzzle 16 1.2 Contributions to the Literature 17 1.3 Structure of the Book 19 References 21 2 Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence 25 Abstract 25 2.1 Definitions of IPV 25 2.2 Theoretical Explanations of IPV 28 2.3 The Evidence on IPV and Economic Vulnerability 30 2.4 The Evidence on IPV and Health 33 2.5 The Intersections: IPV, Economic Vulnerability, and Health 35 2.6 Summary 35 References 36 3 IPV from a Welfare State Perspective 42 Abstract 42 3.1 The Gendered Welfare State 42 3.2 Welfare States and Health Care Systems 48 3.3 Linking Social Policies to Women's Health 51 3.3.1 A Conceptual Framework: The Social Basis of Health Inequities 53 3.4 The Welfare State, IPV, and Health Inequities 55 3.4.1 Research Questions 59 References 61 4 The Policy Context in the US, Germany, and Norway 70 Abstract 70 4.1 Case Selection 71 4.2 The United States 74 4.2.1 Redistribution of Resources 75 4.2.2 Establishing Independent Households 76 4.2.3 Access to Health Care 79 4.3 Germany 82 4.3.1 Redistribution of Resources 83 4.3.2 Establishing Independent Households 85 4.3.3 Access to Health Care 90 4.4 Norway 93 4.4.1 Redistribution of Resources 95 4.4.2 Establishing Independent Households 96 4.4.3 Access to Health Care 100 4.5 Contrasting Policy Contexts 103 4.5.1 Summary 107 References 107 5 Research Design and Methods 115 Abstract 115 5.1 Quantitative Data 116 5.2 Sample Selection 119 5.3 Measurement 120 5.3.1 IPV Exposure 120 5.3.2 Health Outcomes 122 5.3.3 Social Position 124 5.3.4 Sociodemographic Control Variables 125 5.3.5 Cross-National Data Comparability 126 5.4 Methods 128 5.4.1 Missing Data 128 5.4.2 Univariate Analyses 129 5.4.3 Bivariate Analyses 129 5.4.4 Multivariate Analyses 131 5.4.4.1 Predicting Social Position's Impact on IPV Exposure 131 5.4.4.2 Predicting Social Position's Impact on Health: IPV Exposure as a Moderator 132 5.4.5 Cross-National Comparison 136 References 137 6 First Insights into the Relationships Between Social Position, IPV Exposure, and Health Outcomes 142 Abstract 142 6.1 Study Samples 143 6.2 Bivariate Findings 146 6.2.1 IPV Exposure as the Dependent Variable 146 6.2.2 Health Outcomes as the Dependent Variables 150 6.3 Discussion 155 AppendixReferencesRBachmanLESaltzmanViolence against women: Estimates from the redesigned surveyU.S. Department of JusticeWashington, DCBachman, R., & Saltzman, L. 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Accessed July 16, 2015. 157 References 162 7 Findings on Differential Exposure to IPV 163 Abstract 163 7.1 Social Position's Impact on IPV Exposure 164 7.2 Discussion 170 References 173 8 Findings on Differential Vulnerability to Poor Health 175 Abstract 175 8.1 IPV Exposure's Impact on Health 176 8.1.1 Impact of IPV Exposure on Self-assessed Health 177 8.1.2 Impact of IPV Exposure on Mental Health Complaints 185 8.2 Social Position's Impact on Health: IPV Exposure as a Moderator 193 8.2.1 Impact on Self-assessed Health: IPV Exposure as a Moderator 194 8.2.2 Impact on Mental Health Complaints: IPV Exposure as a Moderator 197 8.2.3 Discussion 198 References 204 9 Comparing Policy Contexts: IPV Exposure and Health 207 Abstract 207 9.1 Policy Context and Its Effect on IPV Exposure 209 9.2 Policy Context and Its Effect on Vulnerability to Poor Health 213 9.3 Further Relevant Contextual Comparisons 217 9.4 Discussion 222 References 223 10 Conclusion 229 Abstract 229 10.1 Discussion of Findings 230 10.1.1 Findings on Differential Exposure to IPV 232 10.1.2 Findings on Differential Vulnerability to Poor Health 233 10.2 Critical Issues 236 10.3 Suggestions for Further Research 238 10.4 Policy Implications 240 10.5 Final Reflections 241 References 242 Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-12 Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence....Pages 13-29 IPV from a Welfare State Perspective....Pages 31-58 The Policy Context in the US, Germany, and Norway....Pages 59-103 Research Design and Methods....Pages 105-131 First Insights into the Relationships Between Social Position, IPV Exposure, and Health Outcomes....Pages 133-153 Findings on Differential Exposure to IPV....Pages 155-166 Findings on Differential Vulnerability to Poor Health....Pages 167-198 Comparing Policy Contexts: IPV Exposure and Health....Pages 199-220 Conclusion....Pages 221-236