Domestic Violence, Long-term Health and the Value of Income, Education and Social Support
Tracks
Room 2: In-Person Only
| Wednesday, November 27, 2024 |
| 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM |
| Room 2 |
Overview
Professor Deborah Loxton, Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Newcastle
Speaker
Professor Deborah Loxton
Director
Centre For Women's Health Research, University Of Newcastle
Domestic Violence, Long-term Health and the Value of Income, Education and Social Support
Abstract
The association between domestic violence and adverse health outcomes is well known. Previous analyses conducted using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) demonstrated poorer physical and mental health among women who had lived with violence, compared to those who had not. This deficit was apparent over a 16-year period and across three generations of women from across Australia. The current research builds on that analysis by examining health trajectories for women once domestic violence has ceased, and assesses the impact of demographic factors and social support on the association between domestic violence and general health, mental health, physical functioning and bodily pain. Participants were from the ALSWH cohort born 1946-51, data were collected from 1996 until 2022, with this analysis focussed on a 15-year period, from when women were aged 56-61 (in 2007) and 71-76 (in 2022). Of the 10,242 women who met inclusion criteria, 8457 had never experienced domestic violence, 1122 had last experienced domestic violence before 1996, and 663 had last experienced domestic violence between 1996 and 2006. Results indicated little difference in health trajectories between the two groups who had experienced domestic violence, with both of these groups having significantly poorer general health, mental health, and physical functioning and significantly more bodily pain than women who had not experienced domestic violence, across the study period. Findings indicate that the deficit in health associated with domestic violence continues after the violence has ceased, in some cases for more than 25 years after domestic violence ended. Higher levels of social support were related to better health outcomes across all measures, as was a lack of income management difficulty and having a higher level of education, highlighting the importance of these factors for the health of women who have lived with domestic violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Women who have lived with domestic violence have significantly poorer general health, mental health, and physical functioning, and significantly more bodily pain than women who have not experienced domestic violence.
2. The deficits in health outcomes associated with domestic violence continue after domestic violence has ceased, current evidence shows this deficit for more than 25 years past the last report of domestic violence.
3. Social support and financial security are important factors in promoting women’s health, especially where there is a history of domestic violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Women who have lived with domestic violence have significantly poorer general health, mental health, and physical functioning, and significantly more bodily pain than women who have not experienced domestic violence.
2. The deficits in health outcomes associated with domestic violence continue after domestic violence has ceased, current evidence shows this deficit for more than 25 years past the last report of domestic violence.
3. Social support and financial security are important factors in promoting women’s health, especially where there is a history of domestic violence.
Biography
Prof Loxton is the Director of the Centre for Women’s Health Research at the University of Newcastle, Director of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, and Co-director of the Women’s Health Research Program of the Hunter Medical Research Institute. Women’s health over the life span has been at the centre of Prof Loxton’s research for over two decades and remains her primary research interest. Her main areas of expertise are the impact of violence over the life course, maternal morbidity and mortality, and longitudinal research methods. She is a member of the National Women’s Health Advisory Council convened by the Department of Health and Aged Care to address gender disparities in health service delivery and outcomes. Prof Loxton is also the NSW Regional Health Partners representative on the Australian Health Research Alliance MRFF funded National Women’s Health Research Translation and Impact Network (WHRTN). Her career total publications include 260 peer reviewed articles and 41 reports to government. Career total grant funding exceeds $50M, including both competitive and direct funding. Impact on policy is the primary method of research translation undertaken by Prof Loxton, including authoring policy briefs and reports and presenting findings to government departments. Her research has influenced the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-30, government responses to COVID-19, National Plans to end Violence Against Women and mental health policies.
