|
Psychological Abuse Dangerous
(HealthScoutNews) -- Psychological
abuse by an intimate partner can be as dangerous as sexual or
physical abuse in terms of putting victims at risk for long-term
physical and mental health problems.
That's the claim of a study in the
November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The study examined data from the National
Violence Against Women Survey, which included 16,000 American
adults aged 18 to 65. An intimate partner includes a male or female
current or former spouse or a cohabitating intimate partner.
About 29 percent of the 6,790 female
and 23 percent of the 7,122 male survey respondents reported at
least one of the three forms of abuse from an intimate partner
at some point in their lives.
The respondents reported psychological
abuse more often than either physical or sexual abuse. It accounted
for more than half the abuse reported by women and more than 75
percent of the abuse reported by men.
When they analyzed the link between
health and abuse by an intimate partner, the researchers found
significant mental and physical health consequences for victims
of physical and psychological abuse.
Male and female victims of either
form of abuse were more likely than people who didn't suffer abuse
to develop chronic physical or mental illness. And they were more
prone to poor general health, depression, injury, and drug and
alcohol abuse, the study said.
The findings support the growing body
of research suggesting that health-screening programs must include
screening for physical, sexual and psychological abuse, says study
lead author Ann L. Coker, of the University of Texas School of
Public Health.
She says if abuse by an intimate partner
can be identified early, doctors can take steps to reduce the
impact on a victim's mental and physical health.
More information
The National Crime Prevention Council
has more information on domestic
violence.
Reference
Source 101
For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
|
