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Archives of Women's Mental Health
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health 1/2020

01-02-2020 | Affective Disorder | Original Article

Acute mental health symptoms among individuals receiving a sexual assault medical forensic exam: the role of previous intimate partner violence victimization

Authors: Amanda K. Gilmore, Julianne C. Flanagan

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV) are common in the USA, and they often co-occur. Individuals with multiple victimization experiences have more severe mental health outcomes compared to those with one victimization. The current study examined mental health symptoms and their association with IPV victimization history among a sample of individuals who experienced a recent sexual assault and received a sexual assault medical forensic examination. A total of 82 participants (92.70% female) completed a post-sexual assault survey as part of clinical care to coordinate follow-up services. IPV history and prior sexual assault were assessed as well as mental health symptoms including acute stress and depressive symptoms. It was found that individuals with an IPV history reported more acute stress and depressive symptoms compared to those without an IPV history. No differences were found based on prior sexual assault history. These findings highlight the importance of screening for IPV history during the sexual assault medical forensic examination to coordinate care.
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Metadata
Title
Acute mental health symptoms among individuals receiving a sexual assault medical forensic exam: the role of previous intimate partner violence victimization
Authors
Amanda K. Gilmore
Julianne C. Flanagan
Publication date
01-02-2020
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-019-0947-1

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