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5.5: Effects of Domestic Violence

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    The Effects of Domestic Violence

    The effects of domestic abuse are long-lasting. Trauma can affect a survivor for a lifetime, manifesting in post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, sleep disorders, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and an increased risk for suicide, just to name a few. The effects of childhood domestic violence are also widespread—younger children who witness abuse can suffer behavioral and mental issues as well as have an increased risk for chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.

    Not only does domestic violence affect the health and safety of U.S. citizens, it also affects the economy. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, IPV can cost anywhere from $1.7 billion to $10 billion annually in lost work, healthcare costs, crisis intervention services and legal services.

    The social and economic costs of intimate partner and sexual violence are enormous and have ripple effects throughout society. Women may suffer isolation, inability to work, loss of wages, lack of participation in regular activities and limited ability to care for themselves and their children.

    The potential physical impacts of domestic violence include symptoms related to:

    • Heart / cardiovascular issues
    • Gastrointestinal / digestive issues
    • Chronic pain
    • Sexual / reproductive issues
    • Symptoms of pulmonary or musculoskeletal conditions
    • Traumatic brain injury

    Domestic abuse can also result in death.

    Mental Health Effects of Domestic Violence

    According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 20% of survivors develop mental health conditions. These include:

    • Major depressive disorder
    • Generalized anxiety disorder
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • Substance use disorders

    The APA states that survivors of domestic violence may blame themselves for the abuse they received. They can become self-critical, self-destructive, and suicidal. Chronic abuse can create trauma responses that interfere with future relationships.

    Survivors may struggle with emotional regulation, dissociation, numbing, and have trouble reading social cues.

    Researchers have found that mental health outcomes of domestic violence can become a vicious cycle. Survivors can believe they are powerless to control violent behavior or to develop resources to change their situation. This can potentially set up a long-term pattern of violent partnerships.

    Violence also affects the children of those involved. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children of people experiencing abuse are more likely to be abused. They also tend to have poorer school performance than their peers and higher rates of illness, including depression and anxiety.

    Witnessing domestic abuse is considered an adverse childhood experience (ACE). Such toxic stress in early life is linked to several negative health outcomes in adulthood, ranging from depression and substance use disorder to diabetes and heart disease.

    Children who grow up in the presence of domestic violence are more likely to experience it themselves once they reach adulthood. Boys from such environments are more likely to become perpetrators of violence, while girls are more likely to be victimized in adulthood.

    Domestic abuse can affect relationships outside the home. Support from extended family, friends, and community can protect someone from domestic violence. Social support is important as people recover from the effects of violence. However, abusers often isolate victims from family and friends in an effort to control them.

    Attribution: Understanding the Impact of Domestic Violence


    5.5: Effects of Domestic Violence is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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