Economic Factors in Intimate Partner Conflict and Violence

Based on a secondary analysis of married female respondents (n=3191) to the National Survey of Families and Households, Wave II (NSFH2), this research explores the effects of economic factors and race on intimate partner violence and conflict. Findings from OLS and logistic regression analyses are presented, along with implications for social work practice

TANF Participation and Intimate Partner Violence: Exploring Barriers to Self-Sufficiency

Interpersonal Violence (IPV) is regarded as a primary barrier to employment for women in poverty. For recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), required to participate in work-related activities, experiences of IPV threatens the ability to meet work requirements, resulting in sanctions, if they do not have exemptions through a domestic violence option (DVO) waiver. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of IPV on self-sufficiency in a sample of TANF participants. Data for the study were collected from a mail survey instrument sent to 2,000 randomly selected TANF recipients in one state in the U.S. Findings indicate the majority of the sample (N=525) was female (96%), non-white (73%), and single (86%). One-third of respondents experienced IPV and 29% experienced IPV within the past year. Approximately half of the respondents sustained a physical injury and 29% reported trouble working due to IPV. Non-parametric correlation analysis indicated those who reported IPV were less likely to be employed (p <.002). Respondents reporting violence in the past year and were less likely to be self-sufficient (p =.01). Lastly, participants who experienced an injury from IPV were also significantly more likely to have trouble working (p <.001). Although IPV is just one of many barriers to self-sufficiency for poor women, the lack of access to employment can have dire consequences for women reliant upon TANF benefits. This study indicates a need to further explore the linkages between IPV, access to employment, and other barriers to self-sufficiency

How are Families on Reservations Faring Under Welfare Reform? Working Paper 2

This report is based on our first wave of interviews with 445 either former or current welfare families with children. The respondents were from three Indian reservations (Navajo, San Carlos and Salt River) within Arizona. This information was substantiated by several focus group interviews with welfare recipients and tribal social service providers. The results provide useful insights into understanding the characteristics of welfare recipients on reservations. The characteristics of the welfare caseload on reservations indicate that rapid decline in caseload at the national and regional level will not automatically result in similar caseload decline on many American Indian reservations. A substantial proportion of respondents from these reservations report a serious shortage of job opportunities and support services. Welfare recipients on reservations have lower levels of education than the general welfare population in the nation. Only a fraction of these women are employed. Moreover, even the few who are employed are earning below poverty level incomes. These women report material hardship, such as food, fuel, and clothing insufficiency. This report further demonstrates that welfare families on reservations have not benefited from the recent economic prosperity experienced at the national and state level. In order for women on reservations to exit welfare, job preparation, job opportunities, and support services will need to be provided. Federal, state and tribal governments will have to work together to attain this shared goal of helping families exit poverty. Congressional reauthorization of TANF in 2002 provides an opportunity to involve tribal governments in the upcoming debates and gain an in-depth understanding of the complexity of problems on reservations