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

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802098554
Author(s):  
Anita Stubbs ◽  
Cassandra Szoeke

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.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Veldhuis

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽  
Julia Hajjar ◽  
Sanni Yaya

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a population health problem linked to a myriad of negative psychological, physical, emotional, sexual and reproductive health outcomes for women. The movement towards working with boys and men over the past couple of decades has increased the number of interventions specifically directed at men who perpetrate violence against a female partner. There is little evidence-based research on key characteristics of effective interventions directed at men to reduce or prevent IPV against female partners. The objective of this systematic review is to identify interventions specifically directed at males , as the perpetrators of violence against women, that have proven to be effective in preventing or reducing intimate partner violence. Methods The following electronic databases will be used to search for peer-reviewed studies: MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycInfo (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), Global Health (EBSCO), Gender Watch (ProQuest), Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), PROSPERO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Database (Ovid) and SCOPUS. We will include randomized control trials, non-randomized studies of interventions published in peer-reviewed journals and relevant unpublished manuscripts, books/chapters and clinical or programme study reports. Studies have to demonstrate direction of effect (i.e. pre-post intervention/difference between groups) in terms of prevention or reduction in the outlined outcomes. Primary outcomes include change in behaviour and knowledge of male perpetrator regarding the impact of IPV on women as well as women’s experience of IPV. Secondary outcomes include change in behaviours around substance use and social activities, decrease in negative mental health outcomes and interactions with law enforcement. Studies will be screened, appraised and extracted by two reviewers; any conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Narrative synthesis will be used to analyse and present findings. If sufficient and comparable data is available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Discussion This review will provide synthesized evidence on interventions directed at males to reduce or prevent their perpetration of intimate partner violence against female partners. Implications for practice will include key characteristics of interventions proven to be effective based on evidence synthesis and certainty of findings. Recommendations for further research will also be considered. Systematic review registration This protocol was submitted for registration in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on September 4, 2020.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aja Louise Murray ◽  
Daniela Kaiser ◽  
Sara Valdebenito ◽  
Claire Hughes ◽  
Adriana Baban ◽  
...  

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy (P-IPV) can have significant adverse impacts on both mother and foetus. Existing P-IPV interventions rightly focus on the safety of the mother and reducing re-victimisation; yet expanding these to address the adverse impact on the foetus has considerable potential for preventing long term negative developmental outcomes. In this review, we draw together evidence on major pathways linking exposure to P-IPV and child outcomes. Using a narrative review of 105 articles, we discuss candidate pathways linking P-IPV to child outcomes, as well as their implications for intervention. Articles were identified via keyword searches of social science and medical databases and by inspection of reference lists of the most relevant articles, including recent reviews and meta-analyses. Articles were included if they addressed issues relevant to understanding the effects of P-IPV on child outcomes via five core pathways: maternal stress and mental illness, foetal attachment, health problems and health-related behaviours. We also included articles relevant for linking these pathways to P-IPV interventions. We conclude that developing comprehensive P-IPV interventions that target immediate risk to the mother as well as long-term child outcomes have significant potential to help reduce the global burden of P-IPV.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Winter ◽  
Lena Moraa Obara ◽  
Sarah McMahon

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.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e019995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loraine J Bacchus ◽  
Meghna Ranganathan ◽  
Charlotte Watts ◽  
Karen Devries

ObjectiveWe reviewed cohort studies to determine the magnitude and temporal direction of the association between recent intimate partner violence (IPV) and a range of adverse health outcomes or health risk behaviours.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsMedline, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched from the first record to November 2016. Recent IPV was defined as occurring up to and including the last 12 months; all health outcomes were eligible for inclusion. Results were combined using random-effects meta-analysis.Results35 separate cohort studies were retrieved. Eight studies showed evidence of a positive association between recent IPV and subsequent depressive symptoms, with a pooled OR from five estimates of 1.76 (95% CI 1.26 to 2.44, I2=37.5%, p=0.172). Five studies demonstrated a positive, statistically significant relationship between depressive symptoms and subsequent IPV; the pooled OR from two studies was 1.72 (95% CI 1.28 to 2.31, I2=0.0%, p=0.752). Recent IPV was also associated with increased symptoms of subsequent postpartum depression in five studies (OR=2.19, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.45, p=0.000), although there was substantial heterogeneity. There was some evidence of a bidirectional relationship between recent IPV and hard drug use and marijuana use, although studies were limited. There was no evidence of an association between recent IPV and alcohol use or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), although there were few studies and inconsistent measurement of alcohol and STIs.ConclusionsExposure to violence has significant impacts. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the temporal relationship between recent IPV and different health issues, while considering the differential effects of recent versus past exposure to IPV. Improved measurement will enable an understanding of the immediate and longer term health needs of women exposed to IPV. Healthcare providers and IPV organisations should be aware of the bidirectional relationship between recent IPV and depressive symptoms.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016033372.


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