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J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002 Jun;11(5):465-76.
Social support protects against the negative
effects of partner violence on mental health.
Coker AL, Smith PH, Thompson MP, McKeown RE, Bethea L, Davis KE.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, School
of Public Health, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Social support for abused women may reduce the impact of
abuse on mental health, yet few studies have addressed this issue. We wish to
determine associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health
outcomes and to assess the protective role of abuse disclosure and support on
mental health among abused women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted
of 1152 women, ages 18-65, recruited from family practice clinics from 1997 through
1999. They were screened for IPV during a brief in-clinic interview, and physical
and mental health status was assessed in a follow-up interview.
RESULTS: IPV, defined as sexual, physical, or psychological abuse, was
associated with poor perceived mental and physical health, substance abuse, symptoms
of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), current depression, anxiety, and suicide
ideation/actions. Among women experiencing IPV and controlling for IPV frequency,
higher social support scores were associated with a significantly reduced risk
of poor perceived mental health (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 0.5, 95% confidence
interval [CI] 0.3, 0.6) and physical health (aRR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5, 0.8), anxiety
(aRR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2, 0.4), current depression (aRR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5, 0.8), PTSD
symptoms (aRR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4, 0.8), and suicide attempts (aRR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4,
0.9).
CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers can be instrumental in identifying IPV
and helping women develop skills, resources, and support networks to address IPV.
Physicians, family, or friends may provide needed social support.
PMID: 12165164 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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