Individual- and Community-Level Predictors of Victimization Frequency in a Sample of Women Exposed to IPV

Objective: The current study examines individual and community factors related to increased frequency of victimization in a sample of women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). The identification of unique and interactive associations of community-and individual-level factors and IPV frequency is rarely examined but may assist in developing services that are sensitive to the socialecological context. Method: Women exposed to IPV in the past 2 years were interviewed (n = 120). Information about the communities in which they resided was drawn from the United States and Canadian censuses. Multilevel analyses nested women within their communities and examined the relationship of individual and community factors to frequency of victimization. Results: Individual income, age, and educational attainment were negatively related to IPV frequency, with lowest victimization frequency for women living in communities with high educational attainment and income. Conclusions: It may be especially useful for organizations to focus on increased service delivery in under-resourced communities. Further, because young and low-income women are more likely to report increased frequency of violence, it may be helpful for clinicians to consider cohort-appropriate intervention methods and instrumental supports that reflect the specific needs of these women, such as employment support, child-care access, and financial management.