4058.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 9:30 AM

Abstract #6406

Domestic violence and mental health: Documenting differences among women who use rural hospital emergency departments

Satya P Krishnan, PhD, CHES, Department of Health Science, New Mexico State University, 3 HLS, P. O. Box 30001, LAs Cruces, NM 88003-8001, 505-646-6714, sakrishn@nmsu.edu, Judith C Hilbert, PhD, School of Social Work, New Mexico State University, MSC 3SW, 3 HLS, P. O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, and Marilyn Pase, RN, Department of Nursing, New Mexico State University, MSC 3185, P.O.Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001.

Domestic violence is a major public health problem in the United States, leading to acute injuries and chronic illnesses. In fact for women between the ages of 15-44, domestic violence is the most significant cause of serious injury. Additionally, studies indicate a significant relationship between domestic violence and depression and substance abuse. Battered women experience a variety of emotional, psychiatric, and physical problems that affect their personal lives and health and their functioning and productivity in the workplace. The current study documents the incidence of domestic violence among and the mental health status of a population of women who used the emergency departments of two hospitals in rural Southwest. It also examined the differences in the mental health characteristics of study participants who were battered and those who were not. Use of alcohol and other drugs, use of prescription and over the counter medications, anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation and attempts were among the mental health variables examined. Differences in the mental health variables between those who were battered in their current intimate relationships and those who were not, were also documented. Between 1998-1999, female clients from two hospital emergency departments in rural Southwest were recruited for the study. The relevance, prevalence, and importance of the mental health variables among study participants who reported abuse in their current intimate relationships are presented along with a comparative analysis with participants who did not experience abuse.

Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize the mental health consequences of domestic violence 2.Articulate the need for a more detailed screening of women for mental health complications and domestic violence in emergency departments 3. Identify the short term and long-term mental health consequences of domestic violence 4. Describe and understand the differences in the mental health status of women in battering and non-battering relationships

Keywords: Battered Women, Emergency Department/Room

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