Background: Researchers and practitioners are concerned with the public health ramifications of intimate partner violence (IPV) but only a few studies look at IPV across the lifespan. The few existing studies concur that physical violence desists with age. However, these studies largely ignore non-physical abuse. The objective of this study is to determine if IPV desists over the lifespan if non-physical abuse is included in the definition of IPV.
Methods: 1,847 Michigan women were asked in a population-based survey about violence in their lives. Physical violence was measured using both acts and threats of physical and sexual violence. Non-physical violence was based on two measures: psychological vulnerability (how a woman experiences battering) and autonomy limiting behavior (what the batterer does).
Results: There were three major findings: 1) Physical violence decreases over the lifespan while psychological vulnerability and autonomy limiting behavior fluctuate but do not desist; 2) As women age, rates of non-physical abuse increase in relation to rates of physical violence; 3) Psychological vulnerability and autonomy limiting behavior follow similar trends, but peaks and lows occur at different ages.
Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis and indicate a need for further investigation into the relationship between physical violence and non-physical abuse. Furthermore, they indicate that a decrease in physical violence over the lifespan does not mean that older women are at low risk for IPV.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn: 1.How to construct measures of IPV. 2.To identify two forms of non-physical abuse. 3.To recognize non-physical abuse as a public health concern.
Keywords: Violence, Women's Health
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.