Mª Pilar Matud Aznar
PhD in Psychology and Information Sciences at the University of La Laguna, professor at that university – now retired – and clinical psychologist
A systematic review of the health effects of intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse confirms that both forms of violence pose significant health threats. Intimate partner violence is associated in women with major depressive disorder, for which the risk is increased by 63%, and with abortion, for which the risk is increased by 35%. In addition, intimate partner violence increases women's risk of HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders and suicide attempts.
Childhood sexual abuse is associated with alcohol use disorder, with a 45% increased risk, and with suicide attempts, with a 35% increased risk. It is also associated with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and asthma. Other health problems less frequently associated with childhood sexual abuse include Type 2 diabetes mellitus, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, miscarriage, substance use disorder and conduct disorders.
The article acknowledges that, although the lack of research limits our ability to understand the actual health impacts of violence, such impacts are greater than previously reported, and that increased efforts are needed to prevent violence and to treat survivors of violence.