WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2006 (HealthDay News) -- A new study confirms the wide prevalence of domestic violence and its pervasive impact on women's physical and mental health.
A survey of more than 3,400 women found that 44 percent had experienced intimate partner violence. The more recent the violent incident and the longer it had persisted, the worse the victim's physical and mental health and social network were likely to be, the researchers found.
"This is an epidemic," Dr. Robert S. Thompson, senior investigator at Group Health Center for Health Studies, said in a prepared statement. "But it flies under the radar, because of the stigma and shame associated with it -- as well as the fear that many healthcare providers have of opening what some call a 'Pandora's Box' of difficult problems that they are unsure how to address."
In 5 percent to 13 percent of the women, domestic violence persisted for more than 20 years, with more than one partner responsible in 11 percent to 21 percent of the cases. Within the previous five years, 15 percent of the women had suffered from intimate partner violence, and 8 percent of the women had been affected within the previous year.
Compared to women with no such history, women recently victimized by violence were four times more likely to report symptoms of severe depression and almost three times more likely to report poor or fair health and more than one additional symptom. They were also likely to report lower social functioning.
Physical abuse -- slapping, hitting, kicking, or forced sex -- had a stronger impact on health that nonphysical abuse such as threats, chronic disparaging remarks, or controlling behavior. However, the researchers noted that both forms of abuse significantly damage women's health and often occur together.
"Intimate partner violence harms women's physical and mental health even more than do other common conditions, such as back pain and even several forms of cancer," research associate Amy E. Bonomi said in a prepared statement.
Interventions that might lower rates of domestic violence include doctors routinely asking female patients about the issue and, when necessary, referring them to appropriate services.
The findings appear in the June issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about domestic violence.
