Physical and psychological symptoms in emotionally abused and non-abused women.
BACKGROUND
This brief report compares emotionally abused and non-abused female family practice patients on physical and emotional symptoms, alcohol use problems, and social support problems.


METHODS
We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional, multicenter study of victimization of family practice patients. Forty-seven adult women meeting criteria for emotional abuse (within the past year) and no physical abuse were matched demographically with 47 non-abused women. Each woman completed demographic and health history questionnaires, including questions about physical and emotional abuse.


RESULTS
Emotionally abused women reported a greater number of physical (P < .001) and psychological (P < .0001) symptoms than non-abused controls. Emotionally abused women reported a significantly greater number of social support problems than non-abused women (P < .04).


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports a growing literature that demonstrates an association between emotional abuse and physical and emotional symptoms in women who are currently suffering emotional abuse at the hands of their partner or ex-partner. It is recommended that physicians inquire about emotional abuse in female patients with multiple psychosocial and physical symptoms.
Porcerelli
John H
JH
Department of Family Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48235, USA. jporcer@med.wayne.edu
West
Patricia A
PA
Binienda
Juliann
J
Cogan
Rosemary
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States