Citation

Woods SJ, Hall RJ, Campbell JC, Angott DM. J. Midwifery Womens Health 2008; 53(6): 538-546.

Affiliation

University of Akron College of Nursing, Akron, OH 44325-3701, USA. sw5@uakron.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.07.004

PMID

18984510

PMCID

PMC2713504

Abstract

This correlational-predictive study addresses the associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and physical health and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, including: 1) detailed physical health symptoms reported and health care sought by women in intimate abusive relationships, 2) relationships between physical health symptoms, IPV, and PTSD, and 3) unique predictors of physical health symptoms. An ethnically diverse sample of 157 abused women was recruited from crisis shelters and the community. The women averaged almost 34 years of age and had been in the abusive relationship for slightly more than 5 years. The women experienced physical health symptoms falling into 4 groups: neuromuscular, stress, sleep, and gynecologic symptoms. Women experiencing more severe IPV reported more physical health and PTSD symptomatology. PTSD avoidance and threats of violence or risk of homicide uniquely predicted physical health. More than 75% of the women had sought treatment from a health care professional in the previous 9 months. Implications for practice are discussed.

Language: en