WOMEN WHO USE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS - CHANGES IN DEPRESSION OVERTIME

This study examined the levels of depression reported by women who had used a domestic violence shelter. Depressive symptoms were assessed t hree times: immediately after shelter exit, 10 weeks thereafter, and 6 months later. Whereas 83% of the women reported at least mild depress ion on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale upon shelter exit, only 58% were depressed 10 weeks later. This did n ot change at the 6-month follow-up. An ecological, longitudinal model was evaluated to predict battered women's depression 8 1/2 months post shelter exit. Results of hierarchical regression analyses suggested th at, after controlling for previous levels of depression, the women's f eelings of powerlessness, experience of abuse, and decreased social su pport contributed to their depression symptoms. The women's scares on these three variables (feelings of powerlessness, abuse, and social su pport) at 10 weeks postshelter exit and at 6-month follow-up predicted depression at 6 months. Thus, there were both predictive and concurre nt effects for these constructs. implications for clinical and communi ty interventions are discussed.