Risk Factors for Physical Injury Among Help-Seeking Battered Women: An Exploration of Multiple Abuse Dimensions

• NCJ Number: 224747
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 14 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2008 Pages: 1148-1165
• Author(s): Mindy B. Mechanic; Terri L. Weaver; Patricia A. Resick
• Date Published: October 2008
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1-R01-MH55542
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The purpose of the present research was to examine abuse-related risk factors for injuries in a sample of help-seeking battered women.

Abstract

Participants reported repeated exposure to multiple forms of abuse resulting in a variety of minor and severe injuries. The nature of injuries reported by the sample of women recruited from residential and nonresidential community agencies is consistent with injuries reported by women seeking emergency department medical services. Although high rates of cuts and bruises were expected, there were significantly greater numbers of women reporting severe injuries within this study. Not unexpectedly, length of relationship abuse and severity of physical aggression were the most robust predictors of minor and severe physical injuries. Consistent with other research findings, psychological abuse and stalking contributed uniquely to the prediction of severe injuries. The findings illuminate the nature and extent of injuries among this sample of help-seeking acutely battered women and identify several risk factors for the receipt of such injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the nature and extent of minor and severe injuries among a help-seeking sample of battered women. Tables and references