RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Emotionally Abused and Non-abused Women
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 201
OP 204
DO 10.3122/jabfm.19.2.201
VO 19
IS 2
A1 John H. Porcerelli
A1 Patricia A. West
A1 Juliann Binienda
A1 Rosemary Cogan
YR 2006
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/19/2/201.abstract
AB Background: This brief report compares emotionally abused and non-abused female family practice patients on physical and emotional symptoms, alcohol use problems, and social support problems.Methods:We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional, multicenter study of victimization of family practice patients. Forty-seven adult women meeting criteria for emotional abuse (within the past year) and no physical abuse were matched demographically with 47 non-abused women. Each woman completed demographic and health history questionnaires, including questions about physical and emotional abuse.Results:Emotionally abused women reported a greater number of physical (P < .001) and psychological (P < .0001) symptoms than non-abused controls. Emotionally abused women reported a significantly greater number of social support problems than non-abused women (P < .04).Conclusions:This study supports a growing literature that demonstrates an association between emotional abuse and physical and emotional symptoms in women who are currently suffering emotional abuse at the hands of their partner or ex-partner. It is recommended that physicians inquire about emotional abuse in female patients with multiple psychosocial and physical symptoms.