Effect of Type and Severity of Intimate Partner Violence on Women's Health and Service Use: Findings From a Primary Care Trial of Women Afraid of Their Partners

• NCJ Number: 245554
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 273-294
• Author(s): Kelsey L. Hegarty, Ph.D.; Lorna J. O’Doherty, Ph.D.; Patty Chondros, Ph.D.; Jodie Valpied, ME.D.; Angela J. Taft, Ph.D.; Jill Astbury, Ph.D.; Stephanie J. Brown, Ph.D.; Lisa Gold, Ph.D.; Ann Taket, Ph.D.; Gene S. Feder, M.D.; Jane M. Gunn, Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2013
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes socio-demographic characteristics, experiences of abuse, health, safety, and use of services in women enrolled in the Women's Evaluation of Abuse and Violence Care (WEAVE) project.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has major effects on women's wellbeing. There has been limited investigation of the association between type and severity of IPV and health outcomes. The authors explored associations between type and severity of abuse and women's health, quality of life, and help seeking. Women (aged 16-50 years) attending 52 Australian general practices, reporting fear of partners in last 12 months were mailed a survey between June 2008 and May 2010. Response rate was 70.5 percent (272/386). In the last 12 months, one third (33.0 percent) experienced Severe Combined Abuse, 26.2 percent Physical and Emotional Abuse, 26.6 percent Emotional Abuse and/or Harassment only, 2.7 percent Physical Abuse only and 12.4 percent scored negative on the Composite Abuse Scale. A total of 31.6 percent of participants reported poor or fair health and 67.9 percent poor social support. In the last year, one third had seen a psychologist (36.6 percent) or had 5 or more general practitioner visits (34.3 percent); 14.7 percent contacted IPV services; and 24.4 percent had made a safety plan. Compared to other abuse groups, women with Severe Combined Abuse had poor quality of life and mental health, despite using more medications, counseling, and IPV services and were more likely to have days out of role because of emotional issues. In summary, women who were fearful of partners in the last year, have poor mental health and quality of life, attend health care services frequently, and domestic violence services infrequently. Those women experiencing severe combined physical, emotional, and sexual abuse have poorer quality of life and mental health than women experiencing other abuse types. Health practitioners should take a history of type and severity of abuse for women with mental health issues to assist access to appropriate specialist support. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.