Exploring the impact of domestic abuse on health and participation of women with disabilities: A review

Background: Domestic abuse statistics fail to account for how many women with disabilities experience domestic abuse. Survey data from the US showed a higher incidence of domestic abuse among women with disabilities. Aim: The aim of this literature review was to determine the scope and nature of domestic abuse directed at women with disabilities and its consequences for their health, well-being and social participation. Methods: A structured literature review of multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO), limited to English language literatures, scientific journals and the years 1999-2009. Grey literature was searched using Google TM search engine. Results: 11 academic publications and 2 reports were examined. The review highlighted a paucity of literature that focuses on the immediate health and participation consequences of physical, emotional and social domestic abuse on women with disabilities. Abuse patterns are somewhat linked to the nature of disability, i.e. denial of assistance for women with mobility impairments, physical violence towards women with intellectual disabilities and emotional abuse of women with psychiatric disabilities. No studies examined access promoting interventions to needed health services for women with disabilities who experience domestic abuse. Discussion: The consequences of domestic abuse are both direct in terms of aggravations of health issues through physical and emotional abuse and indirect, in terms of delays in access to needed health services. Conclusions: Women with disabilities who experience domestic abuse continue to be an under-researched group. Better evidence is needed they can be reached and supported by the health and social care services.