The Limits to Cognitive Social Capital as a Protective Factor: Examining the Buffering Effects between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression among Congolese Refugee Women

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women globally, with high prevalence rates among refugee communities. Previous literature indicates its relation to negative mental health outcomes such as depression and the potential help of social protective factors. The current study investigated the protective role of perceived social support (PSS) and cognitive social capital (CSC) on IPV and depression and functional impairment among Congolese refugee women residing in a Ugandan refugee settlement. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted on a sample with lifetime IPV experiences (N = 328) and a subsample with current IPV experiences (n = 190). Results indicated that lifetime IPV was linked to higher functional impairment while current IPV was associated with both higher levels of depression and functional impairment. PSS from friends showed a marginally significant buffering effect for lifetime IPV and functional impairment indicating a protective role, while CSC showed a marginally significant inverse effect for current IPV and functional impairment, acting as an additional risk factor. This study expands the literature on IPV social protective factors by applying it to a nuanced under-researched sample and highlighting the potential protective role of social support from friends among refugee women. Explanations on the inverse effect are linked to the cultural stigmatization of IPV within the community which can lead to isolation among women with high IPV severity. Limitations and future research suggestions are discussed.