National Violence Against Women Survey Research Articles

REPRINT OF: Physical and Mental Health Effects of Intimate Partner Violence for Men and Women

This article is a reprint of a previously published article. For citation purposes, please use the original publication details: Coker AL, Davis KE, Arias I, et al. Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women. Am J Prev Med. 1985;1(6):1-8. Few population-based studies have assessed the physical and mental health consequences of both psychological and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women or men victims. This study estimated IPV prevalence by type (physical, sexual, and psychological) and associated physical and mental health consequences among women and men. The study analyzed data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) of women and men aged 18 to 65. This random-digit-dial telephone survey included questions about violent victimization and health status indicators. A total of 28.9% of 6790 women and 22.9% of 7122 men had experienced physical, sexual, or psychological IPV during their lifetime. Women were significantly more likely than men to experience physical or sexual IPV (relative risk [RR]=2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.1, 2.4) and abuse of power and control (RR=1.1, 95% CI=1.0, 1.2), but less likely than men to report verbal abuse alone (RR=0.8, 95% CI=0.7, 0.9). For both men and women, physical IPV victimization was associated with increased risk of current poor health; depressive symptoms; substance use; and developing a chronic disease, chronic mental illness, and injury. In general, abuse of power and control was more strongly associated with these health outcomes than was verbal abuse. When physical and psychological IPV scores were both included in logistic regression models, higher psychological IPV scores were more strongly associated with these health outcomes than were physical IPV scores. Both physical and psychological IPV are associated with significant physical and mental health consequences for both male and female victims.

Women’s Reporting of Physical Assaults to Police in a National Sample: A Brief Report

Research examining reporting decisions of women physically assaulted by any type of perpetrator is scarce. This study used data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) to examine how victim characteristics, assault characteristics, emotions during the assault, and postassault disclosure to informal social support sources affect victim and third-party reporting decisions in physical assault incidents. Results showed that victim education, race and ethnicity, victim–offender relationship, crime severity, perceived life threat, and disclosure to informal social support sources were related to victim reporting, whereas victim employment and marital status were associated with third-party reporting.

Intimate Terrorism and Situational Couple Violence in General Surveys

In this article, we argue that past efforts to distinguish among types of intimate partner violence in general survey data have committed a critical error--using data on current spouses to develop operationalizations of intimate terrorism and situational couple violence. We use ex-spouse data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) to develop new operationalizations. We then demonstrate that NVAWS current spouse data contain little intimate terrorism; we argue that this is likely to be the case for all general surveys. In addition, the ex-spouse data confirm past findings regarding a variety of differences between intimate terrorism and situational couple violence, including those predicted by feminist theories.

Testing Johnson’s Typology: Is There Gender Symmetry in Intimate Terrorism?

Despite the vast literature on gender symmetry in the perpetration of domestic assault, few studies have looked specifically at both the female and male victims of violence. Using data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) and building on the work of Johnson and Leone (2005), this study is a comparison of the female and male victims of intimate terrorism (IT) and an examination of the effects of IT on male victims. The findings indicate that IT, as a type of violence, does not have the same characteristics when the victims are men. Men involved in a terroristic marriage are not more likely to be injured, do not miss work more frequently, and are not more likely to report symptoms of depression compared to men involved in situational couple violence (SCV). Other findings appear to point to gender symmetry between women and men regarding IT, although broad conclusions based on these findings cannot be made in the absence of a sufficient means to measure the level of coercion within the relationship. Additional research is needed with more innovative and complete measures of control, the defining characteristic of IT.

When Is It Enough for Me to Leave?:Black and Hispanic Women’s Response to Violent Relationships

Based upon a subsample from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) this article examines the role of socioeconomic status, relationship investment and psychological abuse in Black and Hispanic women’s decisions to leave or stay in violent relationships. Racial and ethnic differences and similarities were found in the factors related to staying or leaving violent relationships. Black women stayed in violent relationships at a slightly higher rate than Hispanic women. Marital status, presence of other adults in the household, and psychological abuse influenced Black women’s staying/leaving decision. Household income and psychological abuse were factors in whether Hispanic women remained in or exited violent relationships. Recommendations for possible interventions are discussed.

An Assessment of State Level Sexual Assault Prevalence Estimates

The purpose of our research is to compare sexual violence prevalence rates from three sources of state level data. Public health officials, legislators and other policymakers often require state-level sexual assault prevalence estimates to justify funding and rationalize both new and ongoing sexual violence prevention programs, as well as programs for victims. We compared survey design and resulting prevalence rates of the three surveys frequently used at the state level: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) extrapolations, and replications of the NVAWS. Although the specificity of the questions used in the NVAWS provides a clearer picture of the prevalence of sexual assault than the BRFSS questions, the sexual violence module on the BRFSS survey has the advantage that it is used regularly by some states. Currently available female sexual assault prevalence estimates differ widely at the state level but can be used when interpreted with informed caution. The new National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Surveillance System holds promise for providing better estimates in the future.

Synergistic effects of child abuse and intimate partner violence on depressive symptoms in women

Objective Few population-based studies have examined the association of both child abuse (i.e., physical and sexual abuse) and intimate partner violence (IPV) with depressive symptoms in women. This study estimated the odds of depressive symptoms over the prior week among women exposed to child abuse or IPV alone, and both child abuse and IPV. Method Cross-sectional analysis of 7918 women respondents to the 1995 National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS). Results The prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms was 50.2% in women reporting both child abuse and IPV, followed by women reporting IPV (35.7%) or child abuse alone (34.9%), and 25.2% in those with no reported abuse. Multivariable logistic regression found that women who reported both child abuse and IPV had over twice the odds of depressive symptoms than women reporting no abuse (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 2.80 95% confidence interval, CI = 2.35, 3.32). Smaller, though significantly elevated odds of depression were found among respondents with child abuse only (OR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.42, 1.86) and IPV only (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.30, 1.84). Conclusion The results demonstrate a super-additive risk of depressive symptoms in women exposed to both child abuse and IPV, and underscore the adverse psychological effects of these exposures.

Bigger is not Necessarily Better: An Analysis of Violence Against Women Estimates from the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Violence Against Women Survey

Apparent differences between violence against women estimates from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) continue to generate confusion. How is it that two surveys purporting to measure the nature and extent of violence against women present such seemingly dissimilar estimates? The answer is found in the important, yet often over-looked details of each survey. Our objective is to clarify some of the reasons for apparent disparities between NCVS and NVAWS estimates by first identifying why published estimates are not comparable. Next, we adjust NCVS estimates to make them comparable to NVAWS estimates by restricting NCVS estimates to 1995 and including only persons age 18 or older, and by applying the NVAWS series victimization counting protocol to NCVS estimates. Contrary to findings in the literature, the NVAWS did not produce statistically greater estimates of violence against women compared to the NCVS. Further, incident counting protocols used in the NVAWS and the recalibrated NCVS increased the error, and decreased the reliability of the estimates.

Physical aggression, forced sex, and stalking victimization by a dating partner: an analysis of the National Violence Against Women Survey.

This study used the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) of women and men to estimate noncohabitating dating violence prevalence by type (physical, forced sex, and stalking), associations between dating violence and other types of interpersonal violence across the lifespan, and association of dating violence with longer-term mental health including substance abuse. Among respondents aged 18 to 65, 8.3% of 6,790 women and 2.4% of 7,122 men experienced physical aggression, forced sex, or stalking victimization by a dating partner. Few (20.6% of women and 9.7% of men) reported more than one type of dating violence. Childhood physical aggression by a parent or guardian was strongly associated with subsequent dating violence risk for men and women. Dating violence (physical aggression specifically) was associated with current depressive symptoms, current therapeutic drug use (antidepressants, tranquilizers, or pain medications), and current recreation drug use for women. Implications for parents, survivors, health care, and service providers are discussed.

Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women

Background Few population-based studies have assessed the physical and mental health consequences of both psychological and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women or men victims. This study estimated IPV prevalence by type (physical, sexual, and psychological) and associated physical and mental health consequences among women and men. Methods The study analyzed data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) of women and men aged 18 to 65. This random-digit-dial telephone survey included questions about violent victimization and health status indicators. Results A total of 28.9% of 6790 women and 22.9% of 7122 men had experienced physical, sexual, or psychological IPV during their lifetime. Women were significantly more likely than men to experience physical or sexual IPV (relative risk [RR]=2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.1, 2.4) and abuse of power and control (RR=1.1, 95% CI=1.0, 1.2), but less likely than men to report verbal abuse alone (RR=0.8, 95% CI=0.7, 0.9). For both men and women, physical IPV victimization was associated with increased risk of current poor health; depressive symptoms; substance use; and developing a chronic disease, chronic mental illness, and injury. In general, abuse of power and control was more strongly associated with these health outcomes than was verbal abuse. When physical and psychological IPV scores were both included in logistic regression models, higher psychological IPV scores were more strongly associated with these health outcomes than were physical IPV scores. Conclusions Both physical and psychological IPV are associated with significant physical and mental health consequences for both male and female victims.

Coworker violence and gender: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey

Background: To further the understanding of coworker violence, we analyzed data from the National Violence Against Women (NVAW) Survey on the prevalence and characteristics of coworker violence among women and men, and compared the prevalence of coworker violence with violence perpetrated by other types of perpetrators. Methods: The NVAW Survey was conducted during November 1995–May 1996 and consists of telephone interviews with a representative sample of 8000 U.S. women and 8000 U.S. men aged ≥18 years about their experiences as victims of violence by all types of perpetrators, including coworkers. Results: Lifetime coworker victimization rates varied significantly between women and men (1.1% and 2.3%, respectively), while annual victimization rates were the same (0.1%). Both women and men were more likely to be victimized by a stranger, intimate partner, or other type of acquaintance/family member than a coworker. Women victims of coworker violence were significantly more likely than their men counterparts to be raped or stalked, and significantly less likely to be physically assaulted. No significant differences were found between female and male coworker violence victims with respect to race, age, education, or rate of injury; however, female victims were significantly more likely to lose time from work as a result of their victimization and to report their victimization to the police. Conclusions: An estimated 1.1 million U.S. women and 2.3 million U.S. men have ever been victimized by a current or former coworker, while 100,697 U.S. women and 92,748 U.S. men are victimized by a current or former coworker annually.

A Comparison of Annual Incidence Rates and Contextual Characteristics of Intimate-Partner Violence Against Women from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS)

It is not surprising that research employing diverse methodologies has yielded very different estimates of intimate-perpetrated violence against women. The purpose of this article is to provide a comparison of annual incident rates of rape and physical assault against women as estimated by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)-sponsored National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institute of Justice-cosponsored National Violence Against Women Survey. Several data restrictions were performed to make the data sets as comparable as possible, including restricting the NCVS data to include incidents of rape (not other sexual assaults) and physical assault against women 18 years of age and older. In addition, NCVS estimates included series incidents enumerated as “n” instead of 1, which is the custom for all BJS publications. The methodological eccentricities of each survey, which make comparisons tenuous, are described, and recommendations for policy are discussed.