Abstract
This study aimed to measure the prevalence of psychological distress and physical illness among women in New Zealand, and to identify the risk factors for psychological distress and health, with specific reference to domestic violence. A survey was carried out among a community sample of 961 women aged 19-90 years. Among all women surveyed, 25% were classified as experiencing psychological distress at the time of interview, 22% were classified as experiencing severe symptoms of physical illness, and 17% reported domestic violence by a family member at some point in their lives. Among those women who had experienced domestic violence, the perception that their life was in serious danger and the impact of the violence on their life each contributed significantly to variability in psychological distress (22% variance accounted). An estimated 12% of all cases of psychological distress and 7% of all cases of serious physical illness were attributable to domestic violence. The study underscores the need to improve policy for mental and physical health screening and care for abused women within health services in New Zealand.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 67-73 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | New Zealand Journal of Psychology |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Cite this
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Domestic Violence, Psychological Distress, and Physical Illness among New Zealand Women : Results from a Community-Based Study. / Kazantzis, Nikolaos; Flett, Ross A.; Long, Nigel R.; MacDonald, Carol; Millar, Michelle.
In: New Zealand Journal of Psychology, Vol. 29, No. 2, 01.12.2000, p. 67-73.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Domestic Violence, Psychological Distress, and Physical Illness among New Zealand Women
T2 - Results from a Community-Based Study
AU - Kazantzis, Nikolaos
AU - Flett, Ross A.
AU - Long, Nigel R.
AU - MacDonald, Carol
AU - Millar, Michelle
PY - 2000/12/1
Y1 - 2000/12/1
N2 - This study aimed to measure the prevalence of psychological distress and physical illness among women in New Zealand, and to identify the risk factors for psychological distress and health, with specific reference to domestic violence. A survey was carried out among a community sample of 961 women aged 19-90 years. Among all women surveyed, 25% were classified as experiencing psychological distress at the time of interview, 22% were classified as experiencing severe symptoms of physical illness, and 17% reported domestic violence by a family member at some point in their lives. Among those women who had experienced domestic violence, the perception that their life was in serious danger and the impact of the violence on their life each contributed significantly to variability in psychological distress (22% variance accounted). An estimated 12% of all cases of psychological distress and 7% of all cases of serious physical illness were attributable to domestic violence. The study underscores the need to improve policy for mental and physical health screening and care for abused women within health services in New Zealand.
AB - This study aimed to measure the prevalence of psychological distress and physical illness among women in New Zealand, and to identify the risk factors for psychological distress and health, with specific reference to domestic violence. A survey was carried out among a community sample of 961 women aged 19-90 years. Among all women surveyed, 25% were classified as experiencing psychological distress at the time of interview, 22% were classified as experiencing severe symptoms of physical illness, and 17% reported domestic violence by a family member at some point in their lives. Among those women who had experienced domestic violence, the perception that their life was in serious danger and the impact of the violence on their life each contributed significantly to variability in psychological distress (22% variance accounted). An estimated 12% of all cases of psychological distress and 7% of all cases of serious physical illness were attributable to domestic violence. The study underscores the need to improve policy for mental and physical health screening and care for abused women within health services in New Zealand.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034554697&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 29
SP - 67
EP - 73
JO - New Zealand Journal of Psychology
JF - New Zealand Journal of Psychology
SN - 0112-109X
IS - 2
ER -