Exploring the associations between intimate partner violence and women’s mental health: evidence from a population-based study in Paraguay

Authors:
ISHIDA Kanako, et al
Journal article citation:
Social Science and Medicine, 71(9), November 2010, pp.1653-1661.
Publisher:
Elsevier

A nationally representative sample from the 2008 Paraguayan National Survey of Demography and Sexual and Reproductive Health was used to examined the association between emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health among women aged 15 to 44 years. Controlling for women’s socioeconomic and marital status and history of childhood abuse and their male partners’ unemployment and alcohol consumption, IPV was independently associated with an increased risk for common mental disorders (CMD) and suicidal ideation measured by the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). IPV variables substantially improve the explanatory power of the models, particularly for suicidal ideation. Emotional abuse, regardless of when it occurred, was associated with the greatest increased risk for CMD whereas recent physical abuse was associated with the greatest increased risk for suicidal ideation. The authors suggest that efforts in identifying women with mental health problems, particularly suicidal ideation, should include screening for the types and history of IPV victimisation.

Subject terms:
mental health problems, partner abuse, risk, screening, women, domestic violence;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Paraguay
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
0277-9536

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