[Violence and health. Symptoms, consequences and treatment of victimized patients].
BACKGROUND
Violence has many faces and often results in a variety of consequences. Some studies indicated different types of violence and health consequences in men and women. However, it is still unclear whether this is reflected in clinical context, for example in a patient sample of a German university hospital.


OBJECTIVE
The primary goal of the present study was to analyze associations of violence with health, gender and social, economic, job-related, psychological and physical consequences. In addition, the effects of psychological treatment were examined.


METHODS
One line of research refers to the survey of more than 5000 patients of the university hospital Aachen, evaluating violence experience and several health complaints anonymously. Another line of research deals with detailed interviews with victims of violence and their experienced consequences. A final data source stems from the evaluation of psychological counseling of patients with prior experience of violence. Changes in subjectively perceived depressive symptoms and acceptance of the treatment are evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Experience of violence increases the risk for several health problems, especially the experience of multiple types of violence. The interviews showed that more than 60% of the victims had a clinical diagnosis--independent of sex. The risk for a clinical diagnosis increased with multiple violence experiences during childhood. Patients with a clinical diagnosis indicated more subjective consequences of violence, and consequences of violence were more pronounced in patients that experienced multiple types of violence. The good acceptance as well as the effects on symptomatology and other relevant therapeutic variables provides a first indication for a successful treatment of victims of violence in a clinical context.
Ute
U
Habel
Lisa
L
Wagels
Sinika
S
Ellendt
Maryse
M
Scheller
Aynur
A
Evler
René
R
Bergs
Benjamin
B
Clemens
Annette
A
Pütz
Nils
N
Kohn
Frank
F
Schneider
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult