The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Women's Physical Health: Findings From the Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem. It has far reaching consequences such as social and economic costs, as well as a negative impact on women's health outcomes. This study assessed the relationship between IPV and health risk factors, health behaviors, and poor mental health in Missouri women utilizing 2005 Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data ( n = 3,110). Moderators (demographic indicators) of the relationship between IPV and health risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity) and health behaviors (physical inactivity, smoking, and binge drinking) were also examined. Women with a history of IPV were more likely to engage in health-compromising behaviors such as smoking and binge drinking, be obese, and report more poor mental health days compared with women without a history of IPV. Demographic variables moderated the relationship between IPV, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These findings underscore the importance that clinics, community, or other health care settings can play in identifying women who are victims of or have a history of IPV and provide them with appropriate resources as well as targeted interventions to reduce morbidity in this population.
1 Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
Jeane
J
Bosch
1 Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
Terri L
TL
Weaver
1 Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
Lauren D
LD
Arnold
1 Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
Eddie M
EM
Clark
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D000073599:Health Risk Behaviors; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
interpersonal violence; physical health; trauma