Negative life experiences, depression, and immune function in abused and nonabused women

Abuse of women by their intimate partner is a staggering national problem. Abused women have a higher number of medically unexplained somatic symptoms, more functional disability, a lower self-rating of general health, and higher health care utilization when compared to nonabused women. The authors' purpose in this study was to examine differences in occurrences of negative life experiences, level of depression, and T-cell function between abused and nonabused women. The sample consisted of abused women (n = 12) and nonabused women (n = 12). Hypotheses tested were (1) abused women will have more negative life experiences than nonabused women, (2) abused women will have higher levels of depression than nonabused women, and (3) abused women will have reduced T-cell function compared to nonabused women. A cross-sectional cohort design was used to compare differences in negative life experiences, levels of depression, and T-cell function. Independent sample t-tests were performed comparing the abused versus nonabused women on the dependent measures. Significant differences were found between the groups for negative life experiences (LES; t = 2.29, p < 0.05), level of depression (BDI; t = 3.48, p < 0.01), and T-cell function (TMR; t = -5.62, p < 0.01). These findings are descriptive and do not establish causal links. However, this is an inquiry into the psychological and biobehavioral responses of women experiencing abuse and their potential health problems. The study shows that abused women reported more negative life experiences, experienced higher levels of depression, and experienced lower T-cell function when compared with nonabused women.