The relation of adult experience of domestic harassment, violence, and sexual abuse to health and sickness absence

Abstract

Sense of coherence (SOC), self-reported health (SF-36), and sickness absence were estimated in three groups of women (n = 1075): those never exposed to domestic harassment, violence, sexual abuse, or a combination thereof; those exposed to domestic harassment; and those exposed to domestic violence, sexual abuse, or both. A lower SOC, a lower self-reported health, and a higher sickness absence was found both among women exposed to domestic harassment and among those exposed to domestic violence, sexual abuse, or both. The association was strongest for the dimensions of SF-36 reflecting vitality and mental health. The difference between women exposed and not exposed to domestic harassment, violence, sexual abuse, or a combination thereof was largest regarding the length of sick leave in long (>30 days) sick-leave spells.