The Psychology of Health and Illness: The Mental Health and Physiological Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Women

ABSTRACT

Violence against women is a global public health problem with about one in three women experiencing either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence during their lifetime. Globally as many as 38% of homicides committed against women are by a male intimate partner. Violence against women may have negative effects on their mental, physical, and reproductive health (WHO fact sheet, 2016). Untreated individuals who have experienced violence or life-threatening situations may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder has the potential to be life-changing and cause negative psychological and medical issues (Rokach, Ahmed, & Patel, 2017). This potentially life-changing nature and consequence of violence affecting women world-wide deserves greater attention to ensure elimination of risk factors, financial support of investigational studies to promote detection of victims, and research to increase therapeutic efficacy of remediation. These efforts should be bolstered by all physicians, mental health experts, social service specialists, and public health advocates.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• homelessness
• intimate partner violence
• PTSD
• substance abuse
• trauma
• suicide

View correction statement:

Correction

Author Notes

Nancy Lutwak has been a physician for 34 years. She is the Women's Health Emergency Department Champion at Veterans Administration New York Harbor Healthcare System in New York City.