Intimate partner violence and long-term psychosocial functioning in a national sample of American women

J Interpers Violence. 2006 Feb;21(2):262-75. doi: 10.1177/0886260505282564.

Abstract

Using a nationally representative sample of American married or cohabiting women, this prospective study examined women who reported or denied intimate partner violence (IPV) at wave 1 and compared them on a range of psychosocial outcomes at a 5-year follow-up. This study also examined the rate of divorce or separation during the 5-year interval among women who reported IPV at wave 1 and explored whether certain predictors were related to ending an abusive relationship with an intimate partner during the period. Women with IPV at wave 1, compared to women without IPV, were significantly more likely to experience a greater degree of depressive symptoms and functional impairment and less self-esteem and life satisfaction at the 5-year follow-up. Also, nearly half of the women in an abusive relationship left the relationship within the period. Leaving the abusive relationship was associated with lower individual income and more social support at wave 1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Battered Women / psychology*
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data
  • Depression / etiology
  • Divorce / psychology*
  • Divorce / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Self Concept
  • Social Support
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology
  • United States
  • Women's Health