Health Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence

Long-Term Health Consequences of Physical Violence

In addition to the immediate injury that often results from physical violence, such as lacerations, bruises, broken bones, and concussions, victims of IPV also often suffer from related long-term physical health problems. The effects of ongoing or consistent abuse are cumulative and proportionate to the duration and severity of abuse. Consequently, routine violence has been shown to increase the likelihood of recurring physical ailments such as arthritis and chronic pain syndrome. When the violence is more focused around the head and neck, it can lead to neurological difficulties such as headaches, vision and hearing impairment, and an inability to concentrate.

Health Consequences of Sexual Violence

In addition to physical violence, the definition of IPV also often includes sexual assault by an intimate partner. The term sexual abuse refers to any sexual action that is committed to establish, maintain, or exploit an imbalance of power. This abuse includes but is not limited to the use or threat of physical violence for sex, degrading or cruel sex acts, and sex with the intention of emotional manipulation. While the immediate and chronic health consequences of sexual abuse include many of the effects of physical abuse, these consequences also encompass a set of problems characteristic to this type of violence.

Victims of sexual abuse are often not permitted to negotiate safer sex practices, and therefore are at a higher risk for unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Possible cumulative effects of sexual violence include vaginal and anal tearing, gynecological infections, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, bladder infections, chronic pelvic pain, and cervical cancer.

Health Consequences of Psychological Violence

Psychological abuse and emotional abuse are also strong predictors of poor physical and mental health. Survivors of IPV are more likely to suffer from depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and panic attacks. A lack of agency, constant fear of safety for oneself and loved ones, verbal abuse, and psychological intimidation are only a few contributing causes of a survivor's mental health ailments.

In addition to mental health problems, psychological abuse can also result in physical problems caused by emotional strain, often called psychosomatic effects. These effects can manifest themselves as gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, and chronic stomach pain. Survivors of IPV are also more likely to experience high blood pressure and poor heart health. Additionally, stress caused by violence [Page 327]most likely reduces immune system response, increasing the potential to contract communicable diseases.

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