Exploring the relationships between sexual violence, mental health and perpetrator identity: a cross-sectional Australian primary care study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Research supports the association between adult sexual violence (SV) and poor mental health. However, most studies focus on rape and physical sexual assault. Little is known about how more subtle forms of SV affect women's well-being. Furthermore, evidence for the impact of the perpetrator's identity is mixed. There is also little data from clinical populations to help health practitioners identify SV. This paper addresses these gaps by exploring the associations between different types of adult SV, perpetrator identity, and women's mental health in the Australian primary care setting.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study in general practice clinics. Adult women completed an anonymous survey while waiting for the doctor. Measures included PHQ-

SUBMITTER: Tarzia L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6307303 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature