Abstract
Gender-based intimate partner violence affects women’s mental health and constitutes a challenge for higher education institutions. This study identified the types of support sought by female university students who had experienced intimate partner violence and analyzed the responses of their informal support networks. A sequential mixed-methods quan→QUAL design with qualitative priority was employed. Participants included ten students from the Centro Universitario de la Ciénega and nine members of their informal social support networks (N = 19). The Index of Spouse Abuse, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and semi-structured interviews were used. The students primarily turned to university friends and sought emotional support. Three types of responses were identified: facilitating, hindering, and mixed. Listening, validation, and accompaniment helped participants recognize the violence and seek additional resources. Blaming, minimization, pressure, and withdrawal of support were associated with greater isolation and distress. Those providing support expressed uncertainty and emotional strain, supporting the proposal of second-order support networks. The study concludes that strengthening informal networks and coordinating them with institutional services may broaden university strategies for violence prevention and community-based mental health care.