General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 58-65, January 2011

Partner violence screening in mental health☆

  • Judy C. Chang, M.D., M.P.H.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and General Internal Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, and Center for Research in Health Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 412 641 1441; fax: +1 412 641 1133.
    • ,
  • Patricia A. Cluss, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
    • ,
  • Jessica G. Burke, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
    • ,
  • Lynn Hawker, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (retired), Pittsburgh PA 15224, USA
    • ,
  • Diane Dado, M.S.W.

      Affiliations

    • Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
    • ,
  • Sheri Goldstrohm, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
    • ,
  • Sarah H. Scholle, Dr.P.H.

      Affiliations

    • National Committee for Quality Assurance, Washington DC, USA

Received 9 July 2010; accepted 13 November 2010. published online 23 December 2010.

Abstract 

Objective

To study a mental health sample to assess (1) the prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration, (2) the extent this sample reported being asked about IPV by mental health clinicians and (3) how prevalence and screening rates varied by gender.

Method

Women and men receiving services at a large psychiatric facility completed anonymous written questionnaires.

Results

A total of 524 adults were approached for study participation, and 428 (158 men, 270 women) completed a survey. Over half (51%) of participants experienced some form of IPV; 63% of women and 32% of men reported IPV victimization. Experience of IPV was more likely if participants were women and had diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder. Both women (33%) and men (16%) reported perpetrating IPV. The reported IPV screening rate by mental health providers was 44% for the whole sample (women: 55%; men: 27%).

Conclusion

IPV victimization and perpetration is a prevalent problem among women and men receiving mental health services. Clinicians are missing opportunities to screen for IPV as part of mental health evaluation and treatment.

Keywords: Intimate partner violence, Mental health, Women

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☆ Author contributions: Study Design: Sarah H. Scholle, Patricia A. Cluss, Sheri Goldstrohm, Lynn Hawker, Data collection: Sarah H. Scholle, Patricia A. Cluss, Sheri Goldstrohm, Data Coding: Diane Dado, Judy C. Chang, Sarah H. Scholle, Patricia A. Cluss, Sheri Goldstrohm, Data Analysis: Judy C. Chang, Diane Dado, Jessica G. Burke, Patricia A. Cluss, Sarah H. Scholle, Lynn Hawker, Sheri Goldstrohm, Manuscript preparation: Judy C. Chang, Diane Dado, Jessica G. Burke, Patricia A. Cluss, Sarah H. Scholle, Lynn Hawker, Sheri Goldstrohm.

PII: S0163-8343(10)00247-1

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.11.009

General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 58-65, January 2011
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