Paper: The Invisible Impact on Health: Icelandic Women Experiencing Abuse by a Close Family Member (19th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Monday, 7 July 2008: 3:15 PM

Erla K. Svavarsdottir, PhD, RN , Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland

Brynja Orlygsdottir, MS , Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland

Learning Objective 1: learn about the complex effects of both former and current abuse on women’s health; and to know about the importance of regular screening for abuse against women.

Learning Objective 2: offer appropriate interventions to women who are victims of abuse. It is vital, within emergency departments and high risk prenatal clinics, to offer women who are victims of abuse, appropriate best practice first response.

Purpose To test a difference in physical and psychological health symptoms among Icelandic women visiting an emergency department (ED) and a high risk prenatal care clinic (HRPCC), based on the women's health issues and their prior physical, sexual and or emotional abuse. It was hypothesized that the women's prior experience of abuse and experience of being currently in an abusive intimate partner relationship, would predict their physical and psychological health.

Design and Method Descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected at one time over a period of 5 to 7 months. The sample consisted of 208 women, 101 women visiting the ED and 107 visiting the HRPCC.

Results The main finding indicated that for the women at the ED, their experience of prior sexual abuse by a close family member, emotional abuse within the preceding year and experience of being currently in an abusive relationship, significantly predicted the womenxs current psychological health symptoms. For the women at the HRPCC, their prior experience of physical abuse, experience of prior sexual abuse by a close family member and being currently in an abusive relationship, significantly predicted the women's psychological health.

Conclusion Women in Iceland, who are victims of abuse, seek health care services from emergency departments and high risk prenatal clinics. Knowing the complex effects of both former and current abuse on the women's health, emphasizes the importance of regular screening for abuse against women. It is vital, within emergency departments and high risk prenatal clinics in Iceland, to offer women who are victims of abuse, appropriate best practice first response and proper interventions.

See more of: Issues of Abuse in Women's Health
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