Abstract
BackgroundQuality of life among abused women in Norway in 2006 was found to be significantly low compared to women at the same age in general. The aim of this study was to examine how quality of life is associated with experience of psychological and physical violence intimate partner violence among abused women seeking help after domestic partner abuse comparted to quality of life in a random sample of women in Norway.MethodsA cross-sectional study in a random sample of 1500 women (response rate 36%, n = 469) in Norway were performed. In addition, 191 women who sought help after domestic partner abuse were invited (44%, n = 84). The experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and health-related quality of life were measured in both samples. The participants were divided into: “Women seeking help” after domestic partner abuse (n = 84); “Random sample, abused women” (n = 127); and “Random sample, not abused women” (n = 342).ResultsThe experience of psychological and physical violence was significantly different between the groups (p < 0.0001). The domains in SF-12 were significantly below (p < 0.001) the norm for the female population in Norway in all dimensions among the abused women in the random population sample, and even lower among the women seeking help because of IPV.ConclusionIntimate partner violence is clearly associated with low quality of life. The pattern found in this study is similar to the pattern found in the previous Norwegian study among abused women seeking help.
Highlights
Quality of life among abused women in Norway in 2006 was found to be significantly low compared to women at the same age in general
The aim of this study was to examine how quality of life is associated with experience of both psychological and physical violence intimate partner violence (IPV) among abuses women seeking help from Police, Women’s shelters, Alternative to Violence, Assault Centre and/or Family Guidance Centers compared to quality of life in a random population sample of women in Norway
Physical and psychological violence were more frequently reported in the group of women seeking help than in the random population sample of abused women regarding all acts (p < 0.001) (Table 2)
Summary
Quality of life among abused women in Norway in 2006 was found to be significantly low compared to women at the same age in general. A Norwegian study found a 27% lifetime prevalence of physical IPV against women, and 9% of these had experienced serious physical violence [5]. This has been referred to as a Nordic Paradox because the level of gender equality in Norway and other Nordic countries is high [6]. The aim of this study was to examine how quality of life is associated with experience of both psychological and physical violence intimate partner violence (IPV) among abuses women seeking help from Police, Women’s shelters, Alternative to Violence, Assault Centre and/or Family Guidance Centers compared to quality of life in a random population sample of women in Norway.
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