Intimate partner violence and women's presentations in general practice settings: Barriers to disclosure and implications for therapeutic interventions

Abstract

Background

There has been a small number of studies investigating the disclosure of intimate partner violence (IPV) in general practitioner settings in Australia, with the evidence being that partner violence is largely undisclosed. Drawing on previous research in this area, the main aim of this study was to investigate the rate of disclosure to general practitioners in women with known IPV backgrounds.

Method

Subjects were recruited through two domestic violence services in metropolitan Adelaide. Women were interviewed about their relationship history, help‐seeking behaviour during the relationship, and assessed on the somatization, depression, and anxiety scales of the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised.

Results

Of the 87 women who sought medical help during their relationship, 43% reported disclosing a history of IPV to their general practitioner. Sixty‐nine-per cent of women were given a diagnosis of depression, with treatment being offered mostly in the form of medication, and 25% of women were referred for counselling.

Conclusions

Results confirm that IPV remains largely undisclosed in general practice settings, with the potential for presentations to be misdiagnosed. Implications for clinical psychologists, where there may be similar rates of undisclosed partner abuse, include the need for better identification of abuse victims, and a sound determination of the most appropriate course of therapeutic interventions.

Abstract

Key words:

• disclosure
• general practice
• intimate partner violence
• therapeutic interventions

Funding: None.

Conflict of interest: None.

Funding: None.

Conflict of interest: None.

Notes

Funding: None.

Conflict of interest: None.