Relationship between domestic violence and posttraumatic stress disorder among women living in the communities of Wuhan city

Abstract

Objective: To understand the prevalence of domestic violence and the correlation between domestic violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) so as to improve the mental health status of women in Wuhan city of China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the community health service center in Wuhan. Participants were women who came to the center for gynecological examination. Data on general condition, social support, injury, epidemiological characteristics of domestic violence and PTSD were gathered. Chi-square, student-t and Cochran-Armitage trend tests were employed to compare the distribution of each characteristic variable between PTSD and non-PTSD group. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between domestic violence and PTSD. Results: A total of 1 015 women were effectively surveyed. The life-time incidence rates of events related to domestic, psychological, physical and sexual violence were 29.36%, 28.28%, 6.60% and 3.55%, respectively. The overall prevalence rate of PTSD was 4.73%. Women who suffered from domestic violence had higher risk of PTSD (OR=2.11, 95%CI: 1.04-4.29) than those who never experiencing domestic violence. Women who suffered from psychological or physical violence were 5.06 times more likely to suffer from PTSD (OR=5.06, 95% CI: 1.91-13.42). Conclusion: A strong correlation between domestic violence and PTSD was seen. Victims who suffered from domestic violence should be provided with psychological counseling to reduce the risk of PTSD.