Reaching Out To Women Who Are Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

PURPOSE: To evaluate if disclosure of abuse among female university students and among women at an emergency department varied based on three different types of data collection method used; and to explore women's development of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the outcome on health. DESIGN AND METHOD: Cross-sectional research design was used (N = 306 women). FINDINGS: The women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their current relationship, and had symptoms of PTSD, reported significantly lower physical and mental health. In addition, the women who experienced three types of abuse (physical, mental, and sexual) reported significantly more symptoms of PTSD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Detecting IPV and screening for PTSD in clinical settings might benefit women who suffer from violence in their intimate relationships. Language: en