La red de apoyo en mujeres con distintos grados de maltrato doméstico en Ciudad Juárez, México

Abstract

The goals of this research were to explore and compare the structure (size and compo-sition) and function (perception of support) of the social support network among women in three intimate partner violence conditions: free of violence, moderate levels of violence and high levels of violence. Participants were recruited at community centers (govern-mental and non –governmental ones) located in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The results indi-cate that the three groups of women were similar in some demographic characteristics but different in others. Also, we found differences regarding the size of the support net-work among the three groups of participants; specifically, these differences were in the mentions of relatives and couple as sources of support. With respect of perception of sup-port, the results show differences in the levels of support of the family and friends among the groups of women. The results are discussed on the basis of their theoretical and prac-tical implications.