Intimate partner violence and women’s health and wellbeing: Impacts, risk factors and responses

Abstract

Women have approximately a one in four chance of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Those who do are at increased risk of developing physical and mental health problems including traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance-related disorders. Nurses, in whatever situation they work, are therefore highly likely to encounter women who are victims of IPV. This paper explores the prevalence of physical and mental health issues for women with an experience of IPV. Factors that influence a woman's experience of IPV such as culture, remaining in an abusive relationship, and childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor of IPV are also examined. Recommended responses for women with an experience of IPV are discussed.

Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Interestingly, prenatal exposure to IPV is associated with increased methylation of these genes, the opposite effect, suggesting that the offspring's stress responses will be blunted. 48 While this could be protective in an abusive environment, making the child less likely to respond to threats, in the long term, the child may be at increased risk for injury because of this reduced response to environmental threats.…”

“…The study also points to confounding variables for neuroanatomical changes such as dose-response rate of IPV and prior childhood abuse. 17,31 …”

“…While the focus of the research was not on neuroanatomical changes, this correlation of symptoms promotes the supposition that IPV and TBI are linked. Two recent literature reviews outline neuroanatomical changes associated with abuse, such as reduced hippocampal volume, 30 but the authors were unable to conclude whether those anatomical alterations were related to abuse, depression, or PTSD. The study also points to confounding variables for neuroanatomical changes such as dose-response rate of IPV and prior childhood abuse.…”

“…[49][50][51] Research on animal models provides evidence that histone modifications occurring after TBI result in altered hippocampal functioning. This can be manifested as impairment in the ability to flexibly and appropriately respond to social situations or to achieve novel solutions to problems and may present as deficits in executive functioning or memory after experiencing IPV-related TBI.…”

Relationship Between Spouse Abuse and Depressive Symptoms in Women: The Moderating Role of Personality Characteristics

“…In other words, women who are exposed to domestic violence experience significant depressive symptoms. Previous research also suggests that women who are subjected to violence by their husbands are more depressed than other women [16,19,31].…”