Marginality and Physical and Sexual Abuse in Women

Abstract

We examine the role of marginality as a social determinant of physical and sexual abuse in women. In this study of a community sample of 568 women of reproductive age, and women with a history of physical and sexual abuse reported significantly more marginality than women without a prior history of abuse. An inverse relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and marginality existed. Sexual abuse initially experienced in childhood had a more profound impact on marginality in women than when the abuse initially occurred in adolescence or adulthood. Early identification of abused women in clinical practice may help to prevent further marginality and adverse health outcomes.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Institute of Heath Grant No. RO1-NR02705.