NCJ Number
210814
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 87-98
Date Published
February 2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study explored the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its relationship to childhood maltreatment, substance misuse, posttraumatic stress, and suicidal behavior among a community sample of women.
Abstract
Previous research has revealed the many deleterious consequences of IPV and has also suggested that the experience of childhood physical or sexual abuse increases the risk of experiencing IPV in adulthood. Much of this previous research has focused on women attending clinics or in shelters. The current study contributes to this research literature by estimating the prevalence of IPV in a representative community sample of women and to investigate the relationship between IPV and childhood maltreatment, substance misuse, posttraumatic stress, and suicidal behavior. Participants were 637 women who were surveyed using a random-digit-dial telephone method. The survey questionnaire was the Memphis Area Study and focused broadly on the effects of criminal victimization and traumatic stress. Results of statistical analyses indicated that 16 percent of participants reported ever experiencing IPV and 75 percent of these IPV victims reported experiencing multiple assaults. Of these abused women, 5.9 percent experienced posttraumatic stress symptoms and were more likely than nonabused women to be divorced, abuse drugs and alcohol, have low educational attainment, and to have attempted suicide. The only significant predictors of IPV were childhood sexual and emotional abuse and low educational attainment. The findings suggest that service providers should carefully question IPV victims regarding past abuse, trauma symptoms, suicidal behavior, and drug use in an effort to provide timely and appropriate interventions. Tables, references