Violence and Women's Mental Health: The Impact of Physical, Sexual, and Psychological Aggression

Abstract

The reach of violence against women (VAW) has been profoundly felt by women across the United States and around the globe. VAW has been documented for decades as a legal and social justice problem, but as illuminated in this review, it is also a substantial mental health concern. A full understanding of the phenomenon must include discussion of how often it occurs, in what forms, and to whom. This review defines violence against women in its variant forms and examines the literature on the mental health effects associated with these abuse experiences. The effectiveness of the mental health system's response to the complex needs of women suffering battering, rape, stalking, and psychological aggression is also examined. The future of research and the important role of the discipline of psychology in the future of this field of study are discussed.

Assessing Receptivity to Empirically Supported Treatments in Rape Crisis Centers

“…Data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey find that nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced sexual violence other than rape, while 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have experienced rape in their lifetime (Black et al, 2011). Survivors of sexual violence face serious mental health consequences including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse (Jordan, Campbell, & Follingstad, 2010).…”

“…Systematic reviews of the adverse effects of childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault in adulthood reveal a broad constellation of psychological, behavioral, social, and physical health difficulties that negatively impact the lives of survivors (Bohn & Holz, 1996;Campbell, Dworkin, & Cabral, 2009;Jordan et al, 2010). PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse are among the most frequently reported mental health consequences and are often co-occurring (Chen & Ullman, 2010;Jordan et al, 2010;Kilpatrick, Resnick, Ruggiero, Conoscenti, & McCauley, 2007;Walsh, Galea, & Koenen, 2012). Voth Schrag and Edmond (2015) found that for RCC counselors reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were among the most frequently endorsed treatment goals.…”

“…Data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey find that nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced sexual violence other than rape, while 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have experienced rape in their lifetime (Black et al, 2011). Survivors of sexual violence face serious mental health consequences including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse (Jordan, Campbell, & Follingstad, 2010).Although there is a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of several interventions at reducing trauma-induced PTSD, depression, and anxiety in survivors of sexual violence, there is low utilization of these interventions in Rape Crisis Centers (RCCs; Edmond, 2004;Edmond, Lawrence, & Voth Schrag, 2016). RCC counselors indicate they have limited familiarity with, knowledge about, or training in key evidence-based treatments (Edmond, 2004;Edmond et al, 2016).…”

‘Some I don’t remember and some I do’: Memory talk in accounts of intimate partner violence

“…IPV has a severe impact on victims particularly in relation to their physical (e.g., cuts, bruises, broken bones), mental (e.g., PTSD, depression) and health (e.g., chronic pain syndrome, cardiovascular disease) wellbeing (Jordan et al, 2010).…”

Help-seeking behaviors of South African women after sexual offence victimization : the lived experience.

“…The accessibility and availability of counseling services is essential for victims to manage the psychological impact both in the period immediately following victimization and in the long term (Campbell, 2008;Martin & Parcesepe, 2013). Literature supports the importance of post assault mental health services (Campbell, 2008;Jina & Thomas, 2013;Jordan, Campbell, & Follingstad, 2010;Kumar, Nizame, & Srivastava, 2013;Mason & Lodrick, 2013;Patterson, Greeson, & Campbell, 2009). The findings from this current study revealed the importance of having an adequate number of mental health service providers available who can rapidly arrange counseling for a woman who is experiencing an acute need for mental health care.…”