5137.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 4

Abstract #10077

Expanding the assessment of domestic violence: A new measure of physical and emotional abuse

Heidi M. Behr, BA, CADC, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston VA, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Room 7C-29, Boston, MA 02130, 617-232-9500-5881, behr.heidi_m@boston.va.gov and Grace Chang, MD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, 02115.

Research suggests that there is a correlation between pregnancy and domestic violence, and between domestic violence and alcohol abuse among women. Unfortunately investigations have been limited by a lack of comprehensive measures of domestic violence. Although measures of physical abuse exist, none substantially include emotional abuse. Therefore, the author developed a comprehensive self-report questionnaire that evaluates physical and emotional components of domestic violence. As part of a larger study, this instrument was used with 351 patients from an urban hospital in New England to investigate whether pregnant women with histories of substance abuse were more likely to have experienced emotional or physical abuse than those without such histories. Findings provided preliminary support for the psychometric properties of this measure (coefficient alphas=.86 for emotional abuse and .78 for physical abuse). Almost half the women in this sample reported some form of abuse (i.e., emotional or physical). Results of chi-square analyses indicated that women with histories of substance abuse were more likely to be physically abused than their non-substance abusing counterparts (chi-square=7.84, p=0.01). However, women with histories of substance abuse were not more likely to be emotionally abused than women without such histories. This research offers clinicians and investigators an additional instrument for assessing domestic violence among women, especially pregnant women. Given the prevalence of domestic abuse found within this population and the negative emotional and physical consequences for both mother and child, it is imperative for providers to conduct a thorough assessment of such abuse.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to assess the emotional and physical domains of domestic violence and understand the importance of screening pregnant women for both substance abuse and the potential for violence in their lives

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Assessments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA