Poverty is one of the most consistent risk factors for intimate partner violence. However, little is known about the economic state at which women are no longer at risk for intimate partner violence due to their economic status, which can be referred to as economic solvency. In order to address poverty as a risk factor, we need to understand more about economic solvency. The purpose of this research is to validate a model of economic solvency in women and create a basis for measurement of economic solvency.
Methods:
This is a mixed methods study. First, a quantitative study was performed to validate an established theoretical model of economic solvency, which is made up of four factors (human capital, social capital, sustainable employment, and independence). Next, a qualitative study was performed to find out how women described economic solvency and create a separate model to compare with the original model. For the quantitative analysis, data was used from an ongoing 7 year study of women who were applying for a protection order or using a safe shelter for the first time. For the qualitative analysis, women were recruited from area safe shelters. All women in the study had experienced intimate partner violence, spoke English or Spanish, and were at least 18 years old. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the quantitative data. The qualitative data was independently reviewed by 2 researchers and themes were noted and compared.
Results:
The model was a good fit for the data according to the confirmatory factor analysis. Qualitative inquiry revealed that women did describe human capital, social capital, sustainable employment, and independence as parts of economic solvency. They also described assets as an important factor that was not included in the original model.
Conclusions:
By comparing results from the quantitative and qualitative research, we created a five-factor model, which includes human capital, social capital, sustainable employment, independence, and assets. The results of this study support programs that address not only poverty in women who have experienced or at risk for intimate partner violence, but also the psychosocial issues that may be preventing them from escaping poverty. These programs should be multi-dimensional, addressing all factors of the model, in order to increase safety and decrease poor outcomes related to intimate partner violence.
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