Dating violence: mental health consequences based on type of abuse

Violence Vict. 2012;27(2):215-28. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.27.2.215.

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relationship between psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, and mental health symptoms. Female college students (N = 499) completed anonymous online surveys to report experiences of abuse, as well as symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and physical injuries. Five groups of participants were found: no abuse; psychological abuse; physical abuse; psychological and physical abuse; and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. The multiple abuse groups showed the highest rate of mental health symptoms. In addition, increased frequency of abuse was related to more mental health symptoms and more physical injuries.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Battered Women / psychology
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data*
  • Courtship / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Peer Group
  • Prospective Studies
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Support
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Young Adult