scholarly journals Receiving threatening or obscene messages from a partner and mental health, self-harm and suicidality: results from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

Author(s):  
Sally McManus ◽  
Paul E. Bebbington ◽  
Leonie Tanczer ◽  
Sara Scott ◽  
Louise M. Howard

Abstract Purpose Threatening or obscene messaging is repeated, unwanted texts, emails, letters or cards experienced by the recipient as threatening or obscene, and causing fear, alarm or distress. It is rarely examined as an aspect of intimate partner violence. We describe the prevalence of exposure to threatening/obscene messaging from a current or ex-partner; characteristics of victims; and associations with other forms of violence and abuse, mental disorder, self-harm, and suicidality. Methods Cross-sectional probability-sample survey of the general population in England aged 16 + . Multivariable regression modelling tested associations between receipt of threatening/obscene messaging and current common mental disorder, past-year self-harm and suicidality. Results Threatening/obscene messages were received from a current/ex-partner by 6.6% (95%CI: 5.9–7.3) of adults who had been in a relationship; 1.7% received these in the past year. Victims were more likely to be female, under 35, single or divorced, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and to have experienced other forms of sexual and partner violence and abuse. Those who received threatening/obscene messages in the past year were more likely to experience common mental disorder (adjusted odds ratio 1.89; 1.01–3.55), self-harm (2.31; 1.00–5.33), and suicidal thoughts (2.00; 1.06–3.78). Conclusion Threatening/obscene messaging commonly occurs in the context of intimate partner violence. While often occurring alongside sexual and physical violence, messaging has an additional association with mental disorder and suicidality. Routine enquiry in service settings concerning safety, including those working with people who have escaped domestic violence, should ask about ongoing contact from previous as well as current partners. This should include asking about messaging, as well as other forms of potentially technology-enabled abuse which may become increasingly common.

2020 ◽  
pp. 107780122090832
Author(s):  
Ingrid J. Rowlands ◽  
Carl Holder ◽  
Peta M. Forder ◽  
Kelsey Hegarty ◽  
Annette J. Dobson ◽  
...  

We examined reporting of lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) among 7,917 young women who completed two surveys, 12 months apart. At the first survey, 32% reported a history of IPV with a current or former partner. Of these, one third of women did not report IPV 12 months later (inconsistently reported IPV). Compared with women who consistently reported a history of IPV, women who inconsistently reported a history of IPV were less likely to report suicidal ideation, self-harm, illicit drug use, and smoking at the 12-month follow-up. A deeper understanding of what influences young women’s reporting of IPV is needed.


Author(s):  
Adam M. Messinger

Many nations today recognize intimate partner violence (IPV) in romantic-sexual relationships as a major public health threat, yet not all victims are treated equally. Contrary to myths, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and queer (LGBTQ) people are more likely to experience IPV than heterosexual-cisgender people. Unfortunately, LGBTQ victims face major barriers to reaching safety in a world that too often stigmatizes their identities and overlooks their relationships when forming victim services and policies. Offering a roadmap forward, LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence: Lessons for Policy, Practice, and Research is the first book to synthesize nearly all existing research from the past forty years on this pressing issue. At once highly organized and engaging, it provides evidence-based tips for academic and nonacademic audiences alike.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155708512098763
Author(s):  
Emily M. Wright ◽  
Gillian M. Pinchevsky ◽  
Min Xie

We consider the broad developments that have occurred over the past decade regarding our knowledge of how neighborhood context impacts intimate partner violence (IPV). Research has broadened the concept of “context” beyond structural features such as economic disadvantage, and extended into relationships among residents, collective “action” behaviors among residents, cultural and gender norms. Additionally, scholars have considered how the built environment might foster (or regulate) IPV. We now know more about the direct, indirect, and moderating ways that communities impact IPV. We encourage additional focus on the policy implications of the research findings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110139
Author(s):  
Karen B. Vanterpool ◽  
William L. Yarber ◽  
Molly Rosenberg ◽  
Rasul A. Mowatt ◽  
Justin R. Garcia

This study explores how perceptions of the availability of male dating partners (sex ratio) affect heterosexual Black women’s tolerance and experiences with intimate partner violence (IPV). Evolutionary behavioral models suggest that when the sex ratio is high (more available men than women), violence against women is more likely to occur, whereas the Guttentag–Secord model suggests that when there is a surplus of men, violence against women is less likely to occur. Testing these theories, results show perception of a high sex ratio was significantly positively associated with experiences of IPV in the past 12 months and more tolerant attitudes toward IPV.


Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anindita Dasgupta ◽  
Niranjan Saggurti ◽  
Mohan Ghule ◽  
Elizabeth Reed ◽  
Balaiah Donta ◽  
...  

Background The existing literature on the intersection between women’s reports of spousal intimate partner violence (IPV) and contraceptive use in South Asia is conflicted. Results vary based on method of contraception use and form of violence (physical or sexual), and few examine the relationship between IPV and various methods of modern spacing contraceptive (MSC) use. This study examines associations between IPV and MSC use among a sample of married, not-currently pregnant couples in rural Maharashtra, India (n = 861). Methods: Multinomial logistic regression models assessed wives’ physical and sexual IPV victimisation (for the past 6-months) in relation to the wives’ past 3-month MSC use (categorised as condom use, other MSCs [oral pills, Intrauterine device (IUD)] and no MSCs). Results: In terms of violence, 9% (n = 78) and 4% (n = 34) of wives reported recent physical and sexual IPV victimisation, respectively. The majority (72%; n = 621) did not use any MSC method in the past 3 months; 14% (n = 119) reported recent condom use, and the same proportion reported other MSC use. Recent physical IPV was associated with increased likelihood of recent condom use (AOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.20, 5.04), and recent sexual IPV was associated with increased likelihood of recent use of other MSC (AOR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.24, 8.56). Conclusions: These findings reinforce the need for integration of counselling around IPV prevention and intervention programming into existing family planning services targeting married couples in rural Maharashtra, India.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 263349412092834
Author(s):  
Godwin O. Akaba ◽  
Habiba I. Abdullahi

Background: Intimate partner violence is an important public health and human rights issue. Previous studies have considered intimate partner violence in pregnancy mainly among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics thereby missing out a few who may encounter this problem in late pregnancy or just before delivery. This study had the objective of ascertaining the prevalence, pattern of intimate partner violence, and associated materno-fetal outcomes. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January 2017 and June 2017 among postpartum mothers at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital just before being discharged home. The abuse assessment score was adapted and used to interview women regarding possible intimate partner violence experiences within the past 1 year and during the pregnancy after obtaining written consent. Results: Out of 349 postpartum women interviewed, 102/349 (29.2%) experienced intimate partner violence in the past 1 year, while 18/349 (5.2%) of intimate partner violence occurred in the index pregnancy. Sexual partners were the main perpetuators of intimate partner violence, 67/102 (65.7%), while 35/102 (34.3%) were by someone else other than their sexual partners. Among those abused in the current pregnancy, 10/18 (55.6%) were abused once and the remaining 8/18 (44.4%) were abused more than once. Intimate partner violence was associated with higher chances of cesarean section ( p = 0.001), increased risk of lesser birth weight babies ( p = 0.014), and maternal complications in pregnancy ( p = 0.030). Conclusion: The prevalence of intimate partner violence in pregnancy in Abuja is high with associated poor materno-fetal outcomes. Enforcing existing legislations and screening for intimate partner violence during routine antenatal care may help reduce its prevalence and ensure a positive pregnancy experience for Nigerian women.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 106-112
Author(s):  
Karissa Taylor

As a queer disabled woman, vulnerability is a familiar feeling. It is excruciating to be seen with such clarity, mostly by those who do not share your lived experience. After suffering emotional trauma in my early 20s, the past four years have been a conscious investment in experiencing vulnerability to learn, adapt, grow, and heal. I recount the most significant experiences here, creating a fractured chronological narrative weave, whilst providing commentary in hindsight as my present self. The process of becoming is made visible through instances of incidental and purposeful vulnerability. This essay aims to share my story with others as an act of feminist resistance to silence and intimate partner violence. This is a true story that continues to unfurl mindfully, vulnerably, and with deep respect for process and time. Embracing that which makes you vulnerable also makes you formidably powerful with the capacity for infinite compassion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McManus ◽  
D. Gunnell

Abstract There are concerns about high levels of mental ill-health amongst university students, but little is known about the mental health of students compared to non-students over time. Using data on young people (16–24) from three UK National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys (2000, 2007, and 2014), we found no evidence that the overall prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD), suicide attempts, or non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) differed between students and non-students, although there was an indication that CMDs rose markedly in female students between 2007 and 2014. A rise in NSSH is apparent in both students and non-students.


2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Simon ◽  
Mark Anderson ◽  
Martie P. Thompson ◽  
Alex E. Crosby ◽  
Gene Shelley ◽  
...  

Attitudinal acceptance of intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important correlate of violent behavior. This study examined acceptance of IPV using data collected from a nationally representative telephone survey of 5,238 adults. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to violence, question order, and acceptance of hitting a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend under specific circumstances. Depending on the circumstance examined, acceptance of IPV was significantly higher among participants who were male and younger than 35; were non-White; were divorced, separated, or had never married; had not completed high school; had a low household income; or were victims of violence within the past 12 months. Participants were more accepting of women hitting men; they also were consistent’; more likely to report tolerance of IPV if they were asked first about women hitting men rather than men hitting women. Reports of IPV tolerance need to be interpreted within the context of the survey. Efforts to change IPV attitudes can be tailored to specific IPV circumstances and subgroups, and these efforts should emphasize that the use of physical violence is unacceptable to both genders.


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