Citation

Loxton D, Schofield MJ, Hussain R. J. Interpers. Violence 2006; 21(8): 1092-1107.

Affiliation

University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260506290290

PMID

16829669

Abstract

This study examines the psychological health correlates of domestic violence in a large random sample of mid-aged Australian women (N = 11,310, age 47 to 52 years). Logistic regressions were used to investigate the associations between domestic violence and depression, anxiety, and psychological wellbeing, after adjusting for demographic variables (marital status, income management, area). Results indicate increased odds of having experienced domestic violence for those who had: ever experienced a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or an "other" psychiatric disorder; recent symptoms of depression and anxiety; used psychoactive medication for depression or anxiety in the 4 weeks prior to the survey; and who reported current depression. Current psychological well-being had an inverse association with a history of domestic violence: As psychological well-being decreased, the odds of having ever experienced domestic violence increased. The results indicate that a history of domestic violence is associated with decreased psychological well-being in mid-aged Australian women.

Language: en