Domestic Violence Among College Students in a Minority Serving Institution

The border region of the United States has numerous health issues, many substantially more severe than the rest of the country. There is an excessive amount of alcohol consumption, high stress, and substantial reports of domestic/intimate violence among the residents of the border. This study was conducted to see if there is a relationship between coping skills, alcohol consumption, perceived stress, reported symptoms of stress and its role on attitudes toward domestic violence. The survey, which received IRB approval, had over 700 subjects complete the on-line assessment. Students were attending a large, research institution in the southwest that is classified as a Hispanic-serving institution. The survey consisted of 4 well-established existing surveys. Seven hundred and ten college students attending a minority serving institution in the southwest were surveyed on their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors affiliated with violence, perceived stress, alcohol consumption, and coping skills. There were a number of significant findings. Little differences were found between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic students on perceived stress or stress symptoms, nor were there differences in alcohol consumption. There was also little difference in the attitudes of the acceptance of violence among the two groups. Further analysis revealed little difference between Hispanics and Whites on exposure/experiences with domestic violence. Students who reported higher alcohol consumption also reported higher incidents of domestic violence.