The psychological, behavioural and emotional impact of surviving an abusive relationship

Fifteen women who had sought refuge from domestic violence were studied with a view to listing information about the nature of the violence experienced, the coping strategies and the psychological and social consequences of such violence. Compared with non-abused women the subjects were found to have lower self-esteem, higher rates of depression, generalized anxiety and fearfulness, increased stress-related symptoms, irritability and suicidal ideation. The level of psychosocial and behavioural disturbance in the women who had been battered was not present in a comparison group of non-abused women.