The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on the Physical Health and Health-Related Behaviors of Women: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Abstract
Aim: The long-term effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on physical health outcomes and health-related behaviors are underresearched in comparison to the effects on mental health and pregnancy. This systematic review examines the recent research in this area from 2012 through 2019. Methods: SCOPUS, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and gray literature were searched using the key words “intimate partner violence” and “health.” To meet inclusion criteria, studies needed to be original research and focus on IPV during adulthood and its effects on the physical health or health-related behaviors of women. Fifty-two studies were qualitatively analyzed, with results grouped into broad categories of effects, including cardiovascular, endocrine, infectious diseases, and health screening. Results: IPV was shown to have negative effects on physical health outcomes for women, including worsening the symptoms of menopause and increasing the risk of developing diabetes, contracting sexually transmitted infections, engaging in risk-taking behaviors including the abuse of drugs and alcohol, and developing chronic diseases and pain. It also has significant effects on human immunodeficiency virus outcomes, worsening CD4+ cell depletion. Results varied regarding the effects of IPV on cardiovascular health outcomes. Conclusion: The result of this review demonstrates that women who have experienced violence and abuse are at significantly increased risk of poor health outcomes in a variety of areas and so require specialized and tailored primary care. This review highlights significant gaps in this field of research, particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease, endocrine dysfunction, and neurological symptoms and conditions. It demonstrates a need for additional long-term studies in this field to better inform the health care of women who have experienced IPV and to establish the physiological mediators of these outcomes.
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Women affected by IPV generally have poorer health outcomes than unaffected women.
“generally have poorer health outcomes than unaffected women (Stubbs & Szoeke, 2021)”
From Global Prevalence and Mental Health Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence Among Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2024) · cites this paper as Stubbs & Szoeke, 2021
Cites
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“Four studies reported on weight issues among abused women (Bosch et al., 2017; Mason et al., 2017; Stene et al., 2013; Stockl et al., 2013).”
BackgroundInfluentialMental and Physical Health and Intimate Partner Violence against Women: A Review of the Literature
Dillon, G., Hussain, R., Loxton, D., & Rahman, S. (2013) · International Journal of Family Medicine · doi:10.1155/2013/313909 · Cited by 868 · cited 11× · see citing works
“Previous reviews on this topic also demonstrated that chronic pain was more common in IPVþ women, with variable risk profiles across subtypes (Campbell & Lewandowski, 1997; Dillon et al., 2013).”
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Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury: State of the Science and Next Steps
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Trauma Sequelae and Cortisol Levels in Women Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
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White, S. J., Sin, J., Sweeney, A., Salisbury, T., Wahlich, C., Montesinos Guevara, C. M., Gillard, S., Brett, E., Allwright, L., Iqbal, N., et al. (2024) · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380231155529 · Cited by 465 · see citing works
Theoretical Analysis of the Cycle of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review
McCloud, B., & Abdullah, A. (2025) · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380241301781 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“IPV is also associated with several adverse outcomes, including suicide, depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse, chronic pain, injury, and most likely death (Coker et al., 2002; Stubbs & Szoeke, 2022).”
- Authors
- Stubbs, A., & Szoeke, C.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Stubbs, Anita
- Venue
- Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-02-05
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1157-1172
- ISSN
- 1524-8380 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-8324
- OpenAlex
- W3128527739
- Cited by
- 453
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 117 · 2025: 141 · 2024: 96 · 2023: 70 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 6
- FWCI
- 5.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trauma Violence & Abuse (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Social Sciences › Demography › Elder Abuse and Neglect
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Keywords
- intimate partner violence, physical health, health behavior, women, cardiovascular disease, endocrine dysfunction, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, menopause, diabetes mellitus, chronic pain, substance abuse, health screening, primary care
- MeSH terms
- Intimate Partner Violence, Adult, Female, Humans, Mental Health, Risk Factors, Health Behavior
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