Partner abuse and welfare receipt among African American and Latino women living in a low-income neighborhood

This study investigates the relationship between partner abuse and welfare receipt among African American women and Latinas. The authors used data from the Effect of Violence on Work and Family Project, a random sample of women in a low-income neighborhood in Chicago. The results showed that the association between the combined measure of current abuse and welfare receipt was positive and significant, suggesting that abused women are more likely to receive welfare than nonabused women among African Americans and Latinas. However, there were differences between the two groups of women in terms of the relationship between partner abuse and welfare receipt. Findings suggest a need for culturally sensitive approaches in dealing with welfare recipients who are victims of domestic violence.