Health of Women Surviving Intimate Partner Violence: Impact of Injury and Fear

Abstract

This study examined associations between experiencing physical violence and stalking perpetrated by an intimate partner, and the number of health problems women reported. The sample of 2,626 women who survived intimate partner violence (IPV) was extracted from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2010. Results showed associations between greater number of health problems and the following seven factors: injury, fear, poor mental health, advanced age, less education, lower income, and marriage; no association was found between number of health problems and number of incidents of physical violence, stalking, or both (in preceding year). The results imply that IPV has long-term adverse impacts on women's physical health.

Keywords: fear; injury; intimate partner violence; women’s health.