An Exploratory Study of Resilience and Coping Strategies Among Portuguese-Speaking Immigrant Women Survivors of Domestic Violence

The purpose of this study was to examine the variation in stress coping strategies (adaptive and maladaptive) among Portuguese-speaking immigrant women across shortterm and long-term residency status. This study also examined the role of resilient characteristics (self-esteem, hope, optimism, spirituality, and religiousness), perceived stresses (cultural adaptation, relational, financial) and perceived prejudice as predictors of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Participants were 28 Portuguesespeaking immigrant women recruited from community organizations in Massachusetts. All participants completed several self-report questionnaires that assessed resilience characteristics (self-esteem, hope, optimism, spirituality, and religiousness), perceived stresses (cultural adaptation, relational, financial), perceived prejudice and coping strategies. Results indicated higher mean scores on adaptive coping (seeking social support for instrumental reason) among women with long-term residency status. Women with short-term residency status indicated their usage of maladaptive coping strategy (mental disengagement) more than their long-term counterparts. Resilience