以財務教育處遇減低家暴倖存者之憂鬱症狀：個體成長曲線模型分析

Education Intervention Among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: An Individual Growth Curve Analysis

背景與方法
憂鬱症是親密伴侶暴力（IPV）常見的心理健康影響，且與經濟不穩定相關。財務困境不僅限制倖存者脫離暴力關係，也加劇其心理壓力。傳統心理治療雖可減輕憂鬱症狀，卻常忽略財務因素。財務教育處遇已被證實能在經濟上賦權IPV倖存者，但其對心理健康的影響仍不明確。本研究以賦權理論為基礎探討財務教育是否能改善女性IPV倖存者的憂鬱症狀，使用一項針對448位的IPV倖存者之隨機對照試驗資料，比較基線及14個月內的三次追蹤後，為期六至八週的財務教育處遇與標準個案服務，並以個體成長曲線（IGC）模型來評估憂鬱變化，對遺漏資料進行多重插補。
結果與討論
描述性分析顯示處遇組與對照組的憂鬱程度在六個月時下降，至一年時略為上升。IGC模型顯示，財務教育處遇顯著影響了憂鬱的線性、二次與三次變化（p < .05），解釋7%的個體內變異，顯示其對減輕憂鬱具正向效果。本研究強調財務教育可改善IPV倖存者心理健康，建議將財務教育納入整合性健康服務與社會工作課程。

Background
Depression is a prevalent mental health consequence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, often intensified by economic instability; it constitutes a social determinant of health that remains underexplored in IPV research. Economic instability not only hinders survivors from leaving abusive relationships but also contributes to chronic psychological distress. While psychological therapies can reduce depressive symptoms among IPV survivors, these interventions often overlook financial concerns that exacerbate emotional challenges. Financial education programs have shown promise in empowering IPV survivors economically, yet their potential mental health benefits remain largely unexamined. Guided by empowerment theory, this study investigates whether financial education interventions can improve depression among female IPV survivors.
Methodology
This study used longitudinal data from a 2011-2013 randomized controlled trial evaluating a financial literacy program for IPV survivors. A total of 449 participants from 10 U.S. states and Puerto Rico were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 215) that received standard IPV services or an intervention group (n = 234) that received an additional six weeks of financial education. Data were collected at baseline, with three follow-ups over 14 months. Depression, financial strain, and economic abuse were measured using validated scales. Individual growth curve models (IGC) were analyzed within- and between-person changes in depression over time using IBM SPSS 30. Both the intent-to-treat sample (n = 448) and the per-protocol sample (n = 194) were analyzed, with missing data addressed through multiple imputation techniques.
Results
Descriptive analysis showed a decline in depression from baseline to six months, followed by an increase after one year. Bivariate analyses identified economic abuse and financial strain as significant predictors of depression. IGC models revealed that 61% of depression variation was due to individual differences. The financial education intervention significantly predicted linear, quadratic, and cubic changes in the decrease of depression (p < 0.05), accounting for 7% of within-individual variation. A prototypical plot showed a consistent decline in both groups over time, with a sharper drop occurring in the intervention group after one year.
Discussion
This study highlights the potential of financial education to reduce depression among IPV survivors by enhancing financial control and knowledge. The findings emphasize the need to integrate financial recovery into mental health interventions, as economic insecurity significantly contributes to emotional distress. Individual differences in depression trajectories suggest tailoring programs to diverse survivor needs. Advocates and policymakers should embed financial literacy and support within social service systems. Social work education can also address the intersection of financial empowerment, mental health, and IPV. These integrated efforts can promote more holistic, sustainable recovery pathways that support both economic and psychological well-being.