• J Fam Pract · Nov 2000

    Multicenter Study Clinical Trial

    Routine, single-item screening to identify abusive relationships in women.

    • J H Wasson, A M Jette, J Anderson, D J Johnson, E C Nelson, and C M Kilo.
    • Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information and Research Network, Department of Community & Family Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-3862, USA. john.h.wasson@dartmouth... more .edu less
    • J Fam Pract. 2000 Nov 1; 49 (11): 1017-22.

    BackgroundAbusive relationships are associated with several demographic factors and many clinical problems in women. However, practices often do not screen for abuse.MethodsThis is a descriptive study of 1526 women aged 19 to 69 years who completed a health survey in 31 office practices. The 53-item survey included a question designed to screen for an abusive relationship. Our analysis compared self-reported measures of symptoms (N = 13) and functional limitations (n = 6) of women who had abusive relationships with those who did not. We also examined the utility of using a constellation of clinical problems to identify risk for abuse.ResultsWomen in abusive relationships were more likely to be poor (37% vs 14%; P < .001) and young (87% were younger than 51 years versus 69% of those who were not in such relationships; P < .001). They had twice as many bothersome symptoms (3.1 vs 1.7; P < .001) and functional problems (1.6 vs 0.8; P < .001). Approximately 40% (36/89) of low-income women with emotional problems were at risk for abuse versus only 6% (64/1025) of women with adequate financial resources and no emotional problems. However, because so many women were at low risk, almost twice as many in this group (n = 64) reported abusive relationships than in the high-risk group (n = 36).ConclusionsWomen in abusive relationships have many symptoms and functional limitations. However, symptoms and clinical problems provide insufficient clues for abuse. It is better just to ask. A single-item screening question appears adequate for this purpose.

      Pubmed     Copy Citation  

      Add institutional full text...

    Notes

    hide…

What will the 'Medical Journal of You' look like?

Start your free 21 day trial now.

We guarantee your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.