Psychological and physical sequelae of intimate partner violence among women with limitations in their activities of daily living

Objective: To compare the psychological and physical sequelae of physical/sexual intimate partner violence in women with and without activity limitations. Methods: We analyzed data from the Canadian 1999 General Social Survey. We included women reporting intimate partner violence in the previous 5 years (n = 897). Results: As a result of the violence, women with activity limitations were significantly more likely to feel ashamed/guilty (21.7 vs. 14.5%) depression/anxiety (31.5 vs. 19.8%), fearful (43.0 vs. 33.0%). lowered self-esteem (35.2 vs. 21.1%). increased caution /awareness (20.3 vs. 10.9%), and problems relating to men (16.4 vs. 5.4%). Significantly more women with activity limitations reported physical injury from violence (57.0 vs. 36.6%) and having to take time off from everyday activities (42.1 vs. 30.3%). Women with activity limitations had higher medication use for sleeping problems (OR = 3.17, 95% Cl = 1.36, 5.73), anxiety (OR=3.29, 95% CI=1.75, 6.19) and depression (OR= 2.63. 95% Cl = 1.41, 4.90). Conclusion: Results suggest an additive effect between intimate partner violence and activity limitations that adds disproportionately to the burden of health for women with activity limitations.