Economic abuse within intimate partner violence: A review of the literature

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the measurement of, impact of, and interventions foreconomic abuse within intimate partner relationships. Current assessment measures foreconomic abuse, along with estimates of the prevalence of economic abuse, are reviewedand critiqued. Research exploring the impact of economic abuse on the victim's mentalhealth and psychological well-being, family formations and parenting practices, andchildren's behaviors and youth outcomes are presented. Recently developed interventions,including financial literacy program models, are discussed and emphasized as acritical service to increase victims' economic self-efficacy, financial literacy, and financialbehaviors. Finally, the review provides detailed recommendations on incorporatingeconomic abuse as a central component of domestic violence research, practice, andpolicies.