Association Between Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a major public health and human rights issue worldwide. This study investigated the association between IPV and mental health among women in Greece. We used the Woman Abuse Screening Tool to measure levels of IPV. The lifetime prevalence of physical, psychological/emotional, and sexual IPV was assessed using three dichotomous (yes/no) self-report items. We used validated scales to measure anxiety-like and depressive-like symptoms, sleep quality, self-esteem, loneliness and life satisfaction. In our sample (n=1212), 32.4% of women has experiencing IPV in their current relationship. The lifetime prevalence of physical, psychological/emotional and sexual IPV was 38.5%, 68.4%, and 19.3% re-spectively. Higher levels of current IPV were associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptomatology, worse sleep quality, lower self-esteem, greater loneliness, and lower life satisfaction. Lifetime physical IPV was associated with higher levels of anxiety-like symptoms and depression-like symptoms, and worse sleep quality. Lifetime sexual IPV was associated with higher anxiety-like symptoms, depression-like symptoms, and loneliness, as well as lower life satisfaction and worse sleep quality. Women who reported lifetime psychological/emotional IPV demonstrated worse sleep quality and lower self-esteem. In conclusion, IPV is significantly associated with worse mental health and psychosocial well-being among women in Greece.
Source: Psychiatry International
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7202179657