Domestic violence, psychological distress, and physical illness among New Zealand women: Results from a community-based study
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Date
2000
DOI
Open Access Location
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New Zealand Psychological Society
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Abstract
This study aimed to measure the prevalence of psychological distress and physical illness among women in New Zealand, and to identify the risk factors for psychological distress and health, with specific reference to domestic violence. A survey was carried out among a community sample of 961 women aged 19-90 years. Among all women surveyed, 25% were classified as experiencing psychological distress at the time of interview, 22% were classified as experiencing severe symptoms of physical illness, and 17% reported domestic violence by a family member at some point in their lives. Among those women who had experienced domestic violence, the perception that their life was in serious danger and the impact of the violence on their life each contributed significantly to variability in psychological distress (22% variance accounted). An estimated 12% of all cases of psychological distress and 7% of all cases of serious physical illness were attributable to domestic violence. The study underscores the need to improve policy for mental and physical health screening and care for abused women within health services in New Zealand.
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Keywords
POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER, MENTAL-HEALTH, OLDER ADOLESCENTS, ABUSE, PREVALENCE, DEPRESSION, POPULATION, MINORITY, TRAUMAS, EVENTS
Citation
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY, 2000, 29 (2), pp. 67 - 73 (7)