title: Tools for screening for interpersonal violence: state of the science.
abstract: In recent decades, the prevalence of abuse against women, older persons, and persons with disabilities has become a major public health problem. Health professionals, urged by their professional associations to universally screen these groups, have employed various tools in an effort to identify individuals in need of help. Yet many of the tools used widely in clinical settings have limitations in terms of empirical soundness. This article presents tools used to screen women, older persons, and persons with disabilities as well as data on the reliability and validity of these instruments. These properties and the resources needed to reduce harm are important factors to consider before implementing screening. The article concludes with a summary of the risk-benefit issues related to the use of these tools and universal screening in general.
authors.affiliation: Boston College, Belmont, MA 02478, USA. lois.haggerty@bc.edu
authors.forename: Lois A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Haggerty
authors.forename: Joellen W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fontenot
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewis-O'Connor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data