The relation between physical assault and psychological functioning in a sample of university women, and the relative effects of physical and sexual assault

Abstract

The purpose of this study was threefold: to determine the prevalence and descriptive characteristics of physically abusive relationships in a sample of university women, to identify the psychological correlates of physical abuse and the relative effects of physical and sexual assault on psychological functioning, and to determine the relationship between psychosocial functioning and various abuse characteristics. Fifteen percent of respondents had been physically assaulted in the course of their lifetime, with 4% of women assaulted in the last year. The risk of physical assault increased with closer relationship intimacy, and with a history of prior assault. Results indicate that physical assault constitutes a mild concurrent risk factor for psychological dysfunction among nonclinical women. Social cognitive variables appeared to moderate victims' response to physical assault, as the subjective perception of threat was related to poor social adjustment in several areas. Implications of these findings are discussed.