Intimate Partner Violence

The victims of it are at risk for psychological depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.  They may also abuse substances and experience social dysfunction [1, 2].  Moreover, the poor communication in these relationships will predispose the victim for the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections.

Studies suggest that a woman’s susceptibility to violence and abuse and its consequences have to do with her physical strength, poverty, and prior abuse which she may have suffered during the childhood years.  These factors tend to create gender-unequal norms in the relationship [2].

Management of this public health issue, therefore, requires a complex approach as there are several variables which contribute to its occurrence.  The victims may require crisis services, legal advocacy, emergency shelters, transitional housing, and parenting or childcare assistance [2]. 

An improvement in the labor market for women may lessen the occurrence of intimate partner violence as the income and employment enable them to have more self-esteem and control over their affairs [2].  Moreover, research in India indicates that management of stereotypes and gender roles will motivate girls and women to pursue employment and education.

The desire of women to pursue higher education and employment may increase when there are other women who already have positions of political power or authority.  This scenario will, in fact, encourage parents to maintain high career expectations of their daughters [2].

Intimate partner violence is quite prevalent in women, and it significantly adds to the global burden of disease.

1. Beydoun, H., Beydoun, M., Kaufman, J., et al.  (2012).  Intimate partner violence against adult women and its association with major depressive disorder, depressive symptoms and post-partum depression:  A systematic review and meta-analysis.  Social Science and Medicine, 75, 959-975.
2. Tsai, A.  (2013).  Intimate partner violence and population mental health:  Why poverty and gender inequities matter.  Public Library of Science Medicine, 10:  e1001440.
3. The photograph shows illicit drug paraphernalia and has been reprinted with permission from the Centers for Disease Control and Debora Cartagena.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact their physician for advice.