David Riedl1, Thomas Beck1, Silvia Exenberger1, Judith Daniels2, Daniel Dejaco3, Iris Unterberger4, Astrid Lampe5. 1. University Clinic of Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. 2. Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. 4. Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. 5. University Clinic of Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: astrid.lampe@tirol-kliniken.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown a detrimental effect of child victimization (CV) on physical disease and mortality. Additionally, individuals with adverse experiences in childhood frequently face domestic violence (DV) in later life. As DV has also been observed to harm physical health, a potential cumulative effect has been proposed. Currently, however, only limited data on such a cumulative effect and its impact on patients' physical health are available. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study at the University Hospital of Innsbruck was conducted. Data on CV, DV and physical health were collected using self-report questionnaires. To evaluate the impact of CV and DV on patients' health, odds ratios (OR) were calculated using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1480 patients from various departments participated in the study. CV was found for 38% and DV for 16% of participants. A significantly higher occurrence of physical disease was observed in patients with poly-victimization (4+ CVs). When accounting for the cumulative effect of CV and DV, the occurrence was further increased for musculoskeletal disorders (OR:5.1), chronic pain (OR:5.0), gastrointestinal diseases (OR:3.0), metabolic diseases (OR:2.8) and respiratory diseases (OR:2.4). CONCLUSION: CV and DV were found to be prevalent and highly correlated in patients treated in a primary care hospital. CV and DV - individually, combined and cumulatively - may thus present risks for physical health. Screening patients for the risk of DV as well as assessing CV may aid in early identification and initiation of psychosocial interventions to avoid further aggravation of physical and psychological problems.
OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown a detrimental effect of child victimization (CV) on physical disease and mortality. Additionally, individuals with adverse experiences in childhood frequently face domestic violence (DV) in later life. As DV has also been observed to harm physical health, a potential cumulative effect has been proposed. Currently, however, only limited data on such a cumulative effect and its impact on patients' physical health are available. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study at the University Hospital of Innsbruck was conducted. Data on CV, DV and physical health were collected using self-report questionnaires. To evaluate the impact of CV and DV on patients' health, odds ratios (OR) were calculated using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1480 patients from various departments participated in the study. CV was found for 38% and DV for 16% of participants. A significantly higher occurrence of physical disease was observed in patients with poly-victimization (4+ CVs). When accounting for the cumulative effect of CV and DV, the occurrence was further increased for musculoskeletal disorders (OR:5.1), chronic pain (OR:5.0), gastrointestinal diseases (OR:3.0), metabolic diseases (OR:2.8) and respiratory diseases (OR:2.4). CONCLUSION: CV and DV were found to be prevalent and highly correlated in patients treated in a primary care hospital. CV and DV - individually, combined and cumulatively - may thus present risks for physical health. Screening patients for the risk of DV as well as assessing CV may aid in early identification and initiation of psychosocial interventions to avoid further aggravation of physical and psychological problems.
Authors: David Bürgin; Vera Clemens; Nimmy Varghese; Anne Eckert; Mara Huber; Evelyne Bruttin; Cyril Boonmann; Eva Unternährer; Aoife O'Donovan; Marc Schmid Journal: Brain Behav Immun Health Date: 2022-09-30
Authors: David Riedl; Silvia Exenberger; Judith K Daniels; Bettina Böttcher; Thomas Beck; Daniel Dejaco; Astrid Lampe Journal: Eur J Psychotraumatol Date: 2019-08-22