Spousal abuse, often referred to as domestic violence or intimate partner violence, often results in several detrimental psychological effects for the victim. From 8 to 22 percent of women will likely be the victims of domestic physical violence, according to 1996 study published by Susan Wilt and Sarah Olson in the "Journal of American Medical Women's Association." Psychological abuse almost always accompanies the physical violence.
Background
Domestic violence occurs when one member in a marriage attempts to dominate or control the other person. It can be physical or emotional. Emotional abuse can be verbal, including name-calling and criticizing. It can also be controlling, isolated or intimidating. Along with the infliction of physical pain, abusers use fear, guilt and intimidation as weapons. Intimate partner violence occurs regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Women are more commonly victimized, but men are abused as well.
Types
The most common mental health conditions resulting from domestic physical or sexual violence are depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a 2002 review published by Jacquelyn C Campbell in "The Lancet." An episode of depression can be triggered by violence, or existing depression can be exacerbated by violence. Post-traumatic stress disorder is much more common in battered women than in other women. Abused women, especially the victims of physical abuse, are also more likely to experience anxiety, insomnia, and social dysfunction.
Considerations
Alcohol and drug abuse is also commonly seen in victims of intimate partner violence, according to Campbell. According to the self-medication theory developed by Edward J. Khantzian, people with substance addiction may turn to drugs or alcohol to treat symptoms of mental illness. Victims of domestic violence may turn to alcohol and drugs to treat symptoms of poor mental health. Use of drugs and alcohol may also increase the risk of male-to-female physical abuse, according to a 2003 study published by W. Fals-Stewart and colleagues in "Addictive Behavior."
Warning
Suicidal tendencies may also be associated with being the victim of intimate partner violence, according to Campbell. Battered women may be eight times as likely to attempt suicide than other women, according to a 1991 study published by B. Bergman and B. Brismar in "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica." Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, often found in victims of domestic violence, can be predictive of suicide.
Battered Woman Syndrome
According to "battered woman syndrome," a controversial concept developed by Dr. Lenore E. Walker, some battered women come to believe that the violence is their fault and have an inability to place responsibility for the violence elsewhere. They also fear for their or their children's lives and believe that their abuser is omnipresent and omniscient. This theory has been used as a defense for reactions to abuse in courts of law, but it has not been accepted by the psychological community as a definitive mental illness.
References
- "The Lancet"; Health Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence; Jacquelyn C Campbell; April 2002.
- "Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine"; Longitudinal Effect of Intimate Partner Abuse on High-Risk Behavior Among Adolescents; Timothy A. Roberts et al.; 2003.
- "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica"; Suicide Attempts by Battered Wives; B. Bergman, B. Brismar; May 1991.
- "Addictive Behavior"; Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use: A Longitudinal Day-to-Day Examination; William Fals-Stewart et al.; Dec. 2003
- "Journal of the American Medical Women's Association"; Prevalence of Domestic Violence in the United States; Susan Wilt and Sarah Olson; May/July 1996.
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