Factors associated with physical and sexual violence among Canadian women living with physical disabilities

Health Care Women Int. 2011 Aug;32(8):762-75. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2011.555826.

Abstract

We examined victimization data from a Canadian survey of 1,095 women with disabilities to determine the following: a) Who experienced abuse, b) the forms of abuse, and c) the factors associated with abuse. A convenience sample of Canadian women (18 years +) completed a mailed survey. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and types of abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual). Sequential logistic regression was used to determine factors related to physical and/or sexual violence. Those who reported cultural identities other than Canadian (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.12-3.32) were more likely to have reported experiencing physical and/or sexual violence, as were those with an annual household income less than $20,000 (OR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.97-5.25) or between $20,000 and $49,999 (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.29-3.36). Women with two or more health conditions (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.93-5.32) and those who had some or most activities limited by pain were also more likely to report having experienced physical and/or sexual violence (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.08-2.41). In contrast, women who had not received information about sexuality (OR = .68, 95% CI = .42-.96 and older women (OR = .46, 95% CI = .28-.73) were less likely to report having experienced physical and/or sexual violence. Our findings are important to public health professionals and practitioners in the detection and prevention of violence among women living with physical disabilities (WLD).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Persons with Disabilities*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult