title: Help-Seeking Behaviors of Abused Women in an Abortion Clinic Population.
abstract: Women who seek induced abortion procedures experience high rates of intimate partner violence, yet little is known about their help-seeking behaviors. Using data collected from patients attending a large Midwestern clinic who screened positive for intimate partner violence, we analyzed how help-seeking women differed from women not seeking help and those not disclosing their help-seeking behavior. We measured current and planned resource use and evaluated self-perceived helpfulness of resources. Severe battering, physical and/or sexual abuse, frequent sexual abuse, increased relationship length, and employment were positively associated with help-seeking. Nearly half of women who screened positive for abuse in the past year had already sought or planned to seek help, indicating this population is receptive to intervention.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Megan R W
authors.initials: MRW
authors.lastname: TePoel
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Audrey F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Saftlas
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Anne B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Karisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harland
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peek-Asa
keywords: clinic population; domestic violence; help-seeking behavior