Toward Violence Intervention and Prevention: Reflections on “Physical and Mental Health Effects of Intimate Partner Violence for Men and Women”

ObjectiveTo investigate mental and physical health of mothers exposed to recent and early postpartum intimate partner violence (IPV) in the 10 years after having their first child.DesignProspective pregnancy cohort study.SettingWomen were recruited at six metropolitan public maternity hospitals in Melbourne, Australia and followed up at 1, 4 and 10 years post partum.Study measuresExposure to physical and/or emotional IPV was measured using the Composite Abuse Scale at 1, 4 and 10 years. At 10-year follow-up, mothers reported on physical and mental health, and functional health status.Participants1507 first-time mothers enrolled at mean of 15 weeks’ gestation.ResultsOne in three women experienced IPV during the 10 years after having their first child. Women experiencing recent IPV (19.1%) reported worse physical and mental health than women not reporting IPV. Compared with women not reporting IPV, women experiencing recent IPV had higher odds of poor functional health status (Adj OR=4.5, 95% CI 3.2 to 6.3), back pain (Adj OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9), incontinence (Adj OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6), depressive symptoms (Adj OR=4.9, 95% CI 3.2 to 7.5), anxiety (Adj OR=5.1, 95% CI 3.0 to 8.6) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Adj OR=7.2, 95% CI 4.6 to 11.1) at 10 years. Women with past IPV at 1 and/or 4 years (15.7% of the cohort) also had higher odds of physical and mental health problems. There was evidence of a gradient in health outcomes by recency of exposure to IPV.ConclusionsBoth recent and past exposure to IPV are associated with poor maternal physical and mental health 10 years after a first birth. Health services and advocacy organisations providing support to women need to be aware of the consistent relationship between IPV and a range of physical and mental health conditions, which may persist even after IPV appears to have ceased.

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Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/02654075211012098 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026540752110120

Author(s):

Abriana M. Gresham ◽

Brett J. Peters ◽

Gery Karantzas ◽

Linda D. Cameron ◽

Jeffry A. Simpson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Substance Use ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Physical And Mental Health

The economic, social, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to increase the occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. IPV victimization may, in turn, contribute to physical and mental health, substance use, and social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of the current study was to understand the extent to which 1) COVID-19 stressors are associated with IPV victimization and 2) IPV victimization is associated with health and health behaviors. Participants ( N = 1,813) completed an online survey between May 15 and 28, 2020 that assessed COVID-19 stressors (financial anxiety, social disconnection, health anxiety, COVID-19-specific stress), IPV victimization, physical and mental health, substance use, and movement outside of the home. Structural equation modeling indicated that greater COVID-19-related stressors were associated with greater IPV victimization during the pandemic, even after controlling for enduring vulnerabilities associated with IPV victimization. Additionally, greater IPV victimization during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher levels of substance use and movement outside of the home, but not poorer physical and mental health. COVID-19 stressors may have detrimental relationship effects and health implications, underscoring the need for increased IPV intervention and support services during the pandemic. Findings from the current work provide preliminary correlational evidence for a theoretical model centered on IPV victimization, rather than perpetration.

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Associations between intimate partner violence and mental health in German men and women: a cross-sectional analysis of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)

10.1101/2021.12.20.21268089 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lena Grasskemper ◽

Diogo Costa

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Ipv Perpetration

This work explores the cross-sectional associations between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and anxiety, depressive symptoms, stress symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), in a representative sample of German adult men (n=2,789) and women (n=3,149), and considers their involvement as victims or perpetrators of physical and psychological IPV. In this sample, physical IPV victimization was associated with anxiety and stress among men. Psychological IPV victimization was associated with depression among men, and with stress among both sexes. Physical IPV perpetration was significantly associated only with women depressive and stress symptoms. Psychological IPV perpetration was associated with stress for both men and women. The mental component of HRQoL was significantly lower for men and women involved in any type of IPV. These results support the need to consider the mental health consequences of IPV involvement for both men and women.

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A Systematic Review of Intimate Partner Violence Interventions: State of the Field and Implications for Practitioners

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838018767934 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 311-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nicole Trabold ◽

James McMahon ◽

Shannon Alsobrooks ◽

Staci Whitney ◽

Mona Mittal

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Eligibility Criteria

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is a global public health issue and has serious consequences of women’s health. While scholars and researchers have made some progress in addressing IPV and its impact across different levels of care, there is a paucity of intervention research in this area. For example, we know little about which intervention models work best for particular groups of IPV survivors. Previous reviews have concluded there is insufficient evidence to recommend specific treatment options for victims, but they have also been limited in scope of target populations or have employed narrow eligibility criteria. This systematic review examined the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions for victims of IPV related to physical and mental health and revictimization. Three large databases were searched and articles were selected using specified criteria. Fifty-seven articles met inclusion criteria. Results indicate that both empowerment-based advocacy and cognitively focused clinical interventions demonstrate positive outcomes on the vast sequelae of violence in the context of an intimate relationship. The heterogeneity of intervention approaches and frameworks makes comparisons across studies challenging, but this review demonstrates that interventions focused on problem-solving/solution seeking, enhanced choice making and the alteration in distorted self-thinking and perception are promising in facilitating and maintaining positive physical and mental health changes for women who experience violence.

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Intimate partner violence: A key correlate of women’s physical and mental health in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

10.31219/osf.io/hs2dv ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha Winter ◽

Lena Moraa Obara ◽

Sarah McMahon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Informal Settlements ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Women's Experiences ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Globally, one billion people live in informal settlements, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. Studies suggests that health in informal settlements is a serious and growing concern, yet there is a paucity of research focused on health outcomes and the correlates of health in these settlements. Studies cite individual, environmental and social correlates to health in informal settlements, but they often lack empirical evidence. In particular, research suggests that high rates of violence against women (VAW) in informal settlements may be associated with detrimental effects on women’s health, but few studies have investigated this link. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap by empirically exploring associations between women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their physical and mental health. Data for this study were collected in August 2018 in Mathare Valley Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 550 randomly-selected women participated in surveys; however, analyses for this study were run on a subpopulation of the women (n=361). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to investigate the link between psychological, sexual, and emotional IPV and women’s mental and physical health. Results suggest that while some socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental variables were significantly associated with women’s mental and physical health outcomes, all types of IPV emerged key correlates in this context. In particular, women’s experiences of IPV were associated with lower odds of normal-high physical health component scores (based on SF-36); higher odds of gynecological and reproductive health issues, psychological distress (based on K-10), depression, suicidality, and substance use. Findings from this study suggest that policies and interventions focused on prevention and response to VAW in informal settlements may make critical contributions to improving health for women in these rapidly growing settlements.

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