MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Little research has investigated coercive tactics in intimate partner violence, and even less has examined coercive tactics among LGBTQIA+ relationships despite their higher rates of intimate partner violence. Abusers may consciously exploit these tactics to ensure dependence and enable continued abuse. To demonstrate this, I use research on abusers’ controlling and coercive tactics and delineate the predictable effects on victims such as lowering their awareness of the violence, decreasing the likelihood of disclosure, and locating blame for the abuse in the victim. In doing so, I also marshal the limited research on coercive tactics in LGBTQIA+ relationships to broaden understanding of coercive tactics in relationships outside of solely heterosexual couples. Abusive relationships in which coercive tactics are used to establish and maintain control may lead to worse mental and physical health outcomes for the victim and may be more violent than bi-directional violence and other forms of intimate partner violence. These dynamics may have unique and pernicious effects on LGBTQIA+ couples. Understanding the patterns of coercive behaviors may help abused partners decrease self-blame and understand the broader context in which they and their abuser are situated which is vital to better understand the dynamics of violence and to end 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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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Mental and Physical Health and Intimate Partner Violence against Women: A Review of the Literature.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.725490995.793506691 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Janice Du Mont

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Physical Health ◽

Violence Against Women ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Partner Violence Against Women ◽

Mental And Physical Health

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Severe Physical Intimate Partner Violence and the Mental and Physical Health of U.S. Caribbean Black Women

Journal of Women s Health ◽

10.1089/jwh.2015.5293 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 920-929 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Krim K. Lacey ◽

Dawne M. Mouzon

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Black Women ◽

Physical Health ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Physical Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Caribbean Black ◽

Mental And Physical Health

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Intimate Partner Violence, Trauma, and Physical Health: The Roles of Social Support and Coping Self-Efficacy

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e555712014-001 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Joel D. Wyatt ◽

Katie M. Edwards ◽

Kristiana J. Dixon

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Physical Health ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

And Coping

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The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on the Physical Health and Health-Related Behaviors of Women: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838020985541 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152483802098554

Author(s):

Anita Stubbs ◽

Cassandra Szoeke

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Physical Health Outcomes ◽

Health Related Behaviors ◽

Health Related

Aim: The long-term effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on physical health outcomes and health-related behaviors are underresearched in comparison to the effects on mental health and pregnancy. This systematic review examines the recent research in this area from 2012 through 2019. Methods: SCOPUS, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and gray literature were searched using the key words “intimate partner violence” and “health.” To meet inclusion criteria, studies needed to be original research and focus on IPV during adulthood and its effects on the physical health or health-related behaviors of women. Fifty-two studies were qualitatively analyzed, with results grouped into broad categories of effects, including cardiovascular, endocrine, infectious diseases, and health screening. Results: IPV was shown to have negative effects on physical health outcomes for women, including worsening the symptoms of menopause and increasing the risk of developing diabetes, contracting sexually transmitted infections, engaging in risk-taking behaviors including the abuse of drugs and alcohol, and developing chronic diseases and pain. It also has significant effects on human immunodeficiency virus outcomes, worsening CD4+ cell depletion. Results varied regarding the effects of IPV on cardiovascular health outcomes. Conclusion: The result of this review demonstrates that women who have experienced violence and abuse are at significantly increased risk of poor health outcomes in a variety of areas and so require specialized and tailored primary care. This review highlights significant gaps in this field of research, particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease, endocrine dysfunction, and neurological symptoms and conditions. It demonstrates a need for additional long-term studies in this field to better inform the health care of women who have experienced IPV and to establish the physiological mediators of these outcomes.

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