Culturally Responsive Mental Health Interventions for Women Experiencing Domestic Violence: A Systematic Review across Racial Groups

Background and Purpose

Women experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV) face disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While racial disparities in access to mental health services are well documented, less is known about how mental health interventions differ in their cultural responsiveness across racial groups. Grounded in intersectionality theory, this systematic review examines how culturally oriented mental health interventions for women experiencing domestic violence differ across racial groups, evaluates their effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes, and assesses the methodological quality of existing intervention studies.

Methods

This review included 15 peer-reviewed quantitative and mixed-method intervention studies published in English between 2010 and 2025 that examined mental health interventions for women experiencing domestic violence or IPV across different racial groups, including Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, immigrant/refugee, and white/European women. Studies were identified through MEDLINE, Violence and Abuse Abstracts, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, and were selected following the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies targeted adult women with experiences of domestic violence or IPV, and reported at least one mental health outcome (depression, anxiety, or PTSD). Included designs comprised randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and pre-post designs. Methodological rigor was assessed based on both statistical significance and MQRS scores. Primary outcomes included reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, while secondary outcomes included safety planning, future risk assessment, and self-efficacy. Findings were integrated to identify patterns for effectiveness and cultural responsiveness across racial groups.

Results

The included studies were categorized into four racial groups: Black/African American (n=6), Hispanic/Latina (n=3), immigrant/refugee women (n=3), and White/European women (n=3). Cognitive behavioral interventions showed more consistent and statistically significant improvements, particularly among Black or African American and Latina women, especially for depression and anxiety. In contrast, community-based groups and integrative or holistic interventions demonstrated mixed and less consistent effects across racial groups. Depression outcomes improved most frequently, followed by anxiety and PTSD. Higher methodological rigor did not consistently predict stronger outcomes, emphasizing that culturally responsive survivor-centered design may play a more critical role in intervention effectiveness.

Implications and Conclusions

Culturally responsive mental health interventions, especially adapted cognitive behavioral approaches, appear to be effective for women experiencing domestic violence across racial groups. The findings highlight the importance of culturally grounded and trauma-informed social work practices. Future research should strive to balance methodological rigor with cultural responsiveness to enhance both the effectiveness and equity of interventions.