Citation

Ellsberg MC, Caldera T, Herrera Rodríguez A, Winkvist A, Kullgren G. Am. Psychol. 1999; 54(1): 30-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0003-066X.54.1.30

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study aimed to measure the prevalence of emotional distress among women in León, Nicaragua, and to identify risk factors for emotional distress, with special reference to wife abuse. A survey was performed among a representative sample of women aged 15-49. Among ever-married women, 20% were classified as experiencing emotional distress at the time of the interview, and 52% reported physical partner abuse at some point in their lives. Women reporting abuse were 6 times more likely to experience emotional distress. An estimated 70% of all cases of emotional distress found among ever-married women were attributable to wife abuse. The study underscores the need to improve screening and care for battered women within mental health services in Nicaragua. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)