Physical and Emotional Intimate Partner Violence and Women’s Health in the First Year After Childbirth: An Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093442
Author(s):  
Kelly M. FitzPatrick ◽  
Stephanie Brown ◽  
Kelsey Hegarty ◽  
Fiona Mensah ◽  
Deirdre Gartland

Intimate partner violence (IPV) can comprise physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and is a widespread public health concern. Despite increasing recognition that women experience different types of IPV, the majority of research has focused on physical IPV. The present study aims to examine associations between different types of IPV (physical, emotional, physical, and emotional) and women’s mental, physical, and sexual health by analyzing longitudinal data from a prospective pregnancy cohort of 1,507 first-time mothers in Melbourne, Australia. Questionnaires included validated measures of physical and mental health (Short Form Health Survey, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and IPV (Composite Abuse Scale). Emotional IPV alone was the most commonly reported type of IPV ( n = 128, 9.5%), followed by both physical and emotional IPV ( n = 76, 5.7%), and then physical IPV alone ( n = 30, 2.2%). Women reporting emotional IPV or physical and emotional IPV had increased odds of poor health compared with women reporting no IPV. Experience of physical and emotional IPV was most strongly associated with mental health issues, including depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.9, 7.1]) and self-reported anxiety (adjusted OR 2.9, 95% CI = [1.9, 4.4]). Experience of emotional IPV alone was associated with poor mental health as well as physical factors, including poor general physical health (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI = [1.2, 3.1]), and pain during sex (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI = [1.2, 2.7]). Increased odds of poor body image were also observed for women reporting emotional IPV alone and physical and emotional IPV. These findings highlight the need for greater awareness of the diversity in women’s experiences of IPV among health care providers. This includes understanding the prevalence of emotional IPV among new mothers, and the range of health problems that are more common for women experiencing IPV.

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 383-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Sisic ◽  
Jerry Tan ◽  
Kathryn D. Lafreniere

Background: Sexual assault and intimate partner violence have never been examined in individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. The research is important, because prior studies show higher incidences of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in individuals with disabilities, and hidradenitis suppurativa meets criteria for a disability. Objectives: The objective of the study is to examine whether individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa are at significantly higher risk of intimate partner violence and sexual assault compared with individuals who have acne, a recognised disability. Methods: Participants who met criteria for hidradenitis suppurativa and acne were recruited from a mid-sized university and a dermatology clinic. Participants spoke English and were over the age of sexual consent. Group (hidradenitis suppurativa and acne) differences on intimate partner violence and sexual assault were analysed. Victimisation within the past 12 months was measured using the Checklist for Controlling Behaviours, a measure of intimate partner violence, as well as the Sexual Experiences Survey–Short Form Victim, a measure of sexual assault. Results: In total, 243 participants (n = 128 for hidradenitis suppurativa; n = 115 for acne) were surveyed. Individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa were significantly more likely to report being victimised by intimate partner violence. Conclusions: Intimate partner violence was more frequently observed in individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. Health care providers should be aware of this issue when interacting with patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (16) ◽  
pp. 2471-2495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linden Lalley-Chareczko ◽  
Andrea Segal ◽  
Michael L. Perlis ◽  
Sara Nowakowski ◽  
Joshua Z. Tal ◽  
...  

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide health concern and an important risk factor for poor mental/physical health in both women and men. Little is known about whether IPV leads to sleep disturbance. However, sleep problems may be common in the context of IPV and may mediate relationships with mental/physical health. Data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used ( N = 34,975). IPV was assessed in female and male participants for any history of being threatened by, physically hurt by, or forced to have sex with an intimate partner (THREAT, HURT, and SEX, respectively), and, further, as being forced to have sex with or physically injured by an intimate partner within the past year (SEXyr and HURTyr, respectively). These survey items were coded yes/no. Sleep disturbance was assessed as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much at least 6 of the last 14 days. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, race, income, education, and physical/mental health, assessed whether IPV predicted sleep disturbance. Sobel–Goodman tests assessed whether relationships between IPV and physical/mental health were partially mediated by sleep disturbance. All IPV variables were associated with sleep disturbance, even after adjusting for the effects of age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, employment, marital status, physical health and mental health. THREAT was associated with sleep disturbance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.798, p < .0001), as was HURT (OR = 2.683, p < .0001), SEX (OR = 3.237, p < .0001), SEXyr (OR = 7.741, p < .0001), and HURTyr (OR = 7.497, p < .0001). In mediation analyses, all IPV variables were associated with mental health ( p < .0001), and all were associated with physical health ( p < .007) except SEXyr. Sleep disturbance partially mediated all relationships (Sobel p < .0005 for all tests). Mediation was around 30%, ranging from 18% (HURTyr and mental health) to 41% (HURT and physical health). IPV was strongly associated with current sleep disturbance above the effect of demographics and overall mental/physical health, even if the IPV happened in the past. Furthermore, sleep disturbance partially mediates the relationship between IPV and mental/physical health. Sleep interventions may potentially mitigate negative effects of IPV.


Author(s):  
Nessrin A. El-Nimr ◽  
Heba M. Mamdouh ◽  
Amal Ramadan ◽  
Haider M. El Saeh ◽  
Zeinab N. Shata

Abstract Introduction Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a serious human rights violation and an important health concern during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to estimate the proportion of IPV among adult Arab women before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and to identify its possible predictors during the lockdown. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2020 using an online questionnaire. The sample included 490 adult Arab women aged 18 years and above, who live with their husbands. Data was collected using a Google forms designed questionnaire that included the socio-demographic characteristics, nature of lockdown, and exposure to different types of IPV before and during COVID-19 lockdown and the frequency of their occurrence. McNemar’s test was used to determine differences in the exposure to IPV before and during the lockdown, while logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of exposure to IPV during the lockdown. Results Half of women reported that they were ever exposed to IPV with psychological violence ranking 1st. Exposure to any type of IPV and exposure to psychological, physical, and sexual violence have significantly increased during the lockdown compared to before the lockdown. The frequency of exposure to the different types of IPV ranged from 1–3 times per month to almost every day, but the most commonly reported was 1–3 times per month. Predictors of exposure to IPV during the COVID-19 lockdown included country of residence, family income, and whether the husband lost his job during lockdown. Conclusions IPV has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the Arab countries, and it was associated with the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic on families. Actions towards raising awareness about the problem among professionals and the community, early detection, and provision of appropriate services are mandatory.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052098425
Author(s):  
Sanaa Abujilban ◽  
Lina Mrayan ◽  
Shaher Hamaideh ◽  
Salwa Obeisat ◽  
Jalal Damra

In Jordan, women experience considerable levels of different types of violence. The emerging data from different countries indicate that intimate partner violence (IPV) has intensified since the COVID-19 outbreak. The main purpose of the current study is to find out whether there is any difference in the incidence of IPV during and before the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine and whether any sociodemographical factors are related to the incidence of IPV against pregnant women during quarantine. A cross-sectional, correlational design was in this study. The snowball sampling technique was adopted to select the participants, which produced a nonrepresentative sample of 215 pregnant women. The participants completed the Arabic version of the World Health Organization’s Domestic Violence Questionnaire Screening Tool (DVQST). We found that women were exposed to different types of IPV before and during the quarantine. The most prevalent form of IPV was control and humiliation ( n 172, 80%) and the least prevalent was sexual violence (( n 33, 15.3%), ( n 24, 11.2%), respectively). However, there were statistically significant lower DVQST scores during the COVID-19 quarantine than before the quarantine. All types of IPV are significantly correlated with each other and with relationship problems (marital conflict, verbal fighting, understanding each other). While the findings are not generalizable to the general population of pregnant women in Jordan because the sample consisted only of women of high socioeconomic status due to the use of a nonprobability sampling technique, national campaigns should be developed and implemented in order to reduce IPV and change community behaviors and attitudes toward violence against women. It is also recommended that policymakers develop plans to help pregnant women during quarantine by, for example, training care providers on how to access vulnerable women.


2021 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2020-320321
Author(s):  
Deirdre Gartland ◽  
Laura J Conway ◽  
Rebecca Giallo ◽  
Fiona K Mensah ◽  
Fallon Cook ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAssess the mental health, physical health, cognitive and language development of 10-year old children in families where mothers have reported intimate partner violence (IPV) compared with children with no reported IPV exposure.DesignProspective pregnancy cohort. Maternal report of IPV (Composite Abuse Scale) at 1, 4 and 10 years. Maternal and direct assessment of child mental health (probable psychiatric diagnosis, anxiety and emotional/behavioural difficulties), cognition (IQ and executive function), language (general, pragmatic and receptive) and physical health at 10 years.SettingA subsample of 615 mother–child dyads drawn from a pregnancy cohort of 1507 nulliparous women recruited from six public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia.ResultsAny IPV exposure from infancy to age 10 was associated with poorer child outcomes at age 10. Specifically, twice the odds of a probable psychiatric diagnosis, emotional/behavioural difficulties, impaired language skills (general and pragmatic), and having consulted a health professional about asthma or sleep problems. IPV exposure at age 10 associated with two to three times higher odds of all mental health outcomes, elevated blood pressure and sleep problems. Early life exposure alone (at 1 and/or 4 years) associated with three times higher odds of a general language problem and asthma at age 10.ConclusionThe high prevalence of IPV and increased risk of poorer health and development among children exposed highlights the burden of ill health carried by children in families experiencing IPV. Fewer difficulties where exposure was limited to the early years builds the case for better identification, understanding and resourcing of effective early intervention.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Tanja Pate ◽  
Barbara Simonič

Numerous findings in scientific literature consistently show the association of intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic abuse with the risk for and incidence of a series of different physical health conditions and problems. Studies have shown the association of IPV and overall health and wellbeing especially in women. The purpose of the paper is therefore to present an overview of the research in the field of IPV and women’s mental and physical health. Both quantitative and qualitative research studies published from 2012 to 2018 were included in the review. The results show that IPV is associated with several mental health problems in women, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as with women’s worse physical health, chronic pain, substance abuse, gynaecological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems and behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors. The article reviews current studies and confirms that the experience of IPV in women has long-term consequences for their physical and mental health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Swapna Bondade ◽  
Abhineetha Hosthota ◽  
Karthik K.N. ◽  
Raghul Raj

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have complex relationship with mental health and intimate partner violence (IPV) causing community health concern among adolescents and young adults. Women encounter behavioral, psychological, and reproductive health consequences of violence affecting across their lifespan. Aim: To determine IPV anxiety and depression in women with STIs. Methods and materials: It is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 115 consecutive females between 18 and 45 years of age who attended STI clinic were enrolled. Sociodemographic details were collected by semi-structured pro forma. IPV was assessed by World Health Organization violence against women instrument; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were applied to assess severity of anxiety and depression. Results: Mean age of subjects was 31.21 ± 9.08 years. About 55% of the patients had history of IPV. Psychiatric comorbidities noted in 66% of patients. The odds of IPV were more with history of child abuse, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse in husband. Conclusion: IPV, anxiety, and depression in STI are in the primitive stage of validation due to associated stigma and lack of awareness. It is high time to divulge dormant triggering factors to protect vulnerable population. Current research should focus on education and women empowerment to prevent STI and mental health issues.


2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 681-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Fraga Rizo ◽  
Christopher J. Wretman ◽  
Rebecca J. Macy ◽  
Shenyang Guo ◽  
Dania M. Ermentrout

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document