Verified by Words That Sting
Focuses on a research which found that emotionally abused women
were more likely to report poor physical health than other women, and
their reported ailments were similar to those of physically abused women.
Implications of the findings.
By Sarah Smith published September 1, 2000 - last reviewed on June 9, 2016
ABUSE
Words may not break bones, but new research shows that they may
cause physical harm.
In a study of more than 1,000 women, presented at this year's
fourth annual Smart Marriages conference, emotionally abused women were
more likely to report poor physical health than other women, and their
reported ailments were strikingly similar to those affecting physically
abused women.
"We were surprised at the magnitude of the health complaints," says
lead researcher Ann Coker, Ph.D., a University of South Carolina-Columbia
associate epidemiology professor. Coker's team discovered that
psychologically battered women's most commonly reported health problems
were also stress-related and have been strongly linked to physical
abuse.
In light of the study's results, the researchers believe health
care providers should regularly screen women for psychological abuse as
well as physical and sexual violence. "Not to talk about it in a health
care setting is to ignore a huge issue in mental and physical health,"
Coker says.
PHOTO (COLOR): Word That Sting
