Community violence and its direct, indirect, and mediating effects on intimate partner violence

The links among social disorder, violence in the social support network (NIPV), community violence, and women's substance use were examined in a sample of 50 low-income, nonshelter women to predict intimate partner violence (IPV). The authors found that living in a neighborhood with higher levels of social disorder and using substances increased women's exposure to community violence that, in turn, was associated with increased rates of IPV. In addition, although not associated with community violence, NIPV was associated with increased IPV. The results suggest that examining neighborhood-level factors is important in domestic violence policy, practice, and research.