Exposure to interpersonal violence and its associations with psychiatric morbidity in a U.S. national sample: A gender comparison.

Abstract

Objectives We examine gender differences in population rates of various types of interpersonal violence in a U.S. national sample and investigate gender as a moderator of the associations between interpersonal violence and lifetime mental disorders and suicide attempts. Methods Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication study; 5,692 women and men completed interviews assessing lifetime exposure to nine types of interpersonal violence, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM–IV) mental health diagnoses, and suicide attempts. Results Approximately 46% of women and 42% of men reported one or more types of interpersonal violence. Women were more likely to experience kidnapping, physical assault by an intimate partner, rape, sexual assault, and stalking, whereas men were more likely to experience mugging or physical assault by someone other than parents or an intimate partner. Interpersonal violence was associated with risk for many mental disorders and attempted suicide. Although women were at higher risk for several forms of interpersonal violence, the impact of interpersonal violence on mental health outcomes did not vary by gender. Conclusions It is clearly important to identify and provide mental health treatment to women after interpersonal violence exposure. Findings also underscore the need for prevention and intervention efforts for women and men, including routine screening for interpersonal violence by health care providers and appropriate treatment to address mental health conditions.

Clinical Utility of an Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tool for Female VHA Patients

“…The HITS screening tool 13 comprises the following four items: "Over the last 12 months, how often did your partner: (1) physically hurt you, (2) insult you or talk down to you, (3) threaten you with harm, and (4) scream or curse at you?" Responses are scored on a 5-point scale from 1 ("never") to 5 ("frequently") and summed for a total score (range [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Findings support the concurrent validity of this instrument.…”

“…[2][3][4] Similarly, IPV increases risk for psychiatric conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other anxiety disorders, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders, and suicidality. [3][4][5] Relative to civilians, female veterans are at higher risk for physical and sexual forms of IPV (33.0 % vs. 23.8 % lifetime prevalence). 2 Although the reasons for elevated risk among female Veterans remain unknown, some theorize that women's exposure to violence-prone environments, such as violent childhood homes and the military, may elevate women's risk for IPV.…”

Victimization and suicidality among female college students

“…11,16 Among noncollege adult populations, interpersonal victimization consistently predicts negative health outcomes, including suicidal behavior. 8,[17][18][19][20] Indeed, World Health Organization data indicate that interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, has the most robust and consistent association with suicide ideation and suicide attempts across nations, even after considering other factors. 20 Using data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication, Iverson and colleagues found that respondents with a history of rape have nearly twice the risk of suicide attempts, and those with a history of physical assault by an intimate partner have more than 2.5 times the risk of suicide attempts.…”

Violência interpessoal, circunstâncias das agressões e padrões dos traumas maxilofaciais na região metropolitana de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil (2008-2011)

“…Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 er regions of Brazil and the USA, which pointed men as the most involved in situations of community violence and more likely than women to experience robberies and violence by unknown persons 1,4,26,27 . Most men victimization by community violence can be explained from the perspective of different scientific fields such as epidemiology, sociology and psychology.…”

“…Interpersonal violence is considered a high-priority public health problem in different regions of the world and has been widely discussed by various sectors of society due to its impact on public safety indicators, on the daily lives of individuals and to the constant presence of victims in health services [1][2][3][4] . Every year, millions of people lose their lives and many others carry non-fatal injuries resulting from domestic and community violence.…”