Implications of Severe Polyvictimization for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Female Survivors of Violence

Abstract

In this study, we examined the impact of severe polyvictimization on 30-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Data were collected from 34 participants in the "Leave it on the Mat" pilot study. The study was conducted in an urban city in a Midwestern state from August 2012 to April 2014. Severe polyvictimization was considered present if participants reported a history of three or more forms of victimization (childhood exposure to domestic violence, being psychologically or physically abused in childhood, and lifetime sexual assault) in addition to IPV. CVD risk factors included smoking, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). A Framingham-based prediction model was used to estimate 30-year CVD risk. A linear regression model, adjusted for age, education, race/ethnicity, and family history of CVD, was calculated. Fifty percent ( n = 17) of the study participants reported severe polyvictimization and the average 30-year risk of CVD in the full sample was 22.3. Participants who experienced severe polyvictimization had higher 30-year CVD risk scores when compared to participants who experienced two or fewer forms of victimization. The findings revealed that severe polyvictimization was prevalent among survivors of IPV and was associated with increased scores on the 30-year CVD risk model. Screening for abuse history could aid identification of individuals at high CVD risk.

Association of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault With Midlife Women’s Mental and Physical Health

“…Conversely, sexual assault appeared less related to BP; a relation that may depend on the severity or chronicity of the victimization history. 29 Sexual assault and harassment were each associated with a two-fold odds of poor sleep consistent with clinical insomnia. Notably, poor sleep, 30,31 depressed mood, 32 and anxiety 33 are themselves linked adverse physical health outcomes.…”

Non-communicable diseases among women survivors of intimate partner violence: Critical review from a chronic stress framework

“…Regarding longitudinal studies, when models of future development of cardiovascular diseases are used, there is sound agreement that IPV predicts the development of pathology in the following 2.5 to 30 years (Clark et al, 2016;Pantell, Prather, Downing, Gordon, & Adler, 2019;Renner et al, 2017;Scott-Storey, 2013;Scott-Storey, Hodgins, & Wuest, 2019;Wright, Hanlon, Lozano, & Teitelman, 2018). In general, although the effects on cardiovascular diseases are consistent, the impact on hypertension is usually not significant, particularly when adjusting for other health variables (Breiding, Black, & Ryan, 2008).…”

Longitudinal trends in screening males and females for intimate partner violence as part of a systemic multi-specialty health system intervention

“…To address this gap, we examined the longitudinal change in IPV screening practices for adult females and males in a large, multi-specialty healthcare system in the Midwest that underwent a systemic intervention involving required online provider training; in-person follow-up training; a validated electronic health record screening tool; intranet-based referral information; and the provision of trained support within the health system and community-based agencies with the aim of improving the detection and response to IPV survivors [ 6 ].…”