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Partner violence: implications for health and community settings
R Petersen1, J Gazmararian, K Andersen Clark
1Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Summary
Women experiencing partner violence report higher rates of depression and low self-esteem. Increased use of mental health services and counseling was observed in these women, highlighting the need for integrated care strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Research
- Sociology
Background:
- Partner violence is a significant public health issue affecting women's well-being.
- Understanding the disparities in health and service utilization is crucial for intervention design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare mental health, health behaviors, and service use between women with and without partner violence experiences.
- To inform strategies for addressing partner violence within healthcare and community settings.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 392 women in a Medicaid managed care organization.
- Bivariate statistical analyses and logistic regression models were employed.
- Data collected on mental health, health behaviors, service use, and partner violence experiences.
Main Results:
- 28% of women reported partner violence.
- Partner violence was associated with double the odds of depression and triple the odds of negative self-esteem.
- Women reporting violence showed higher utilization of mental health services (OR 2.9) and individual counseling (OR 3.6).
Conclusions:
- Partner violence significantly impacts women's mental health and service needs.
- Integrated healthcare and community service linkages are essential for supporting women experiencing partner violence.