Female victims of physical violence were 3.6 times more likely to suffer from mental disorders than others. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — Female victims of dating or domestic violence are constantly exposed to the risk of suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a recent study has revealed.
A research team from Samsung Medical Center conducted a survey of 3,160 South Korean women over 18 years of age, 47 of whom said that they had been subject to physical or sexual violence from their spouse or partner.
The results of the study showed that exposure to such violence may lead to permanent mental disorders.
Female victims of physical violence were 3.6 times more likely to suffer from mental disorders than others. Victims of sexual violence were 14.3 times more exposed to the risk of mental disorders.
Victims of physical violence were 8 times more likely to suffer from agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, 6.5 times more likely to suffer from nicotine addiction, and 6 times more likely to suffer from PTSD.
Victims of sexual violence were 32.4 times more likely to suffer from PTSD, 27.8 times more likely to suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 22.4 times more likely to suffer from nicotine addiction.
“There are female victims out there who are keeping themselves from talking about how they’ve been subject to such violence, which may exacerbate the risk of mental disorder,” said Prof. Hong Jin-pyo, head of the research team.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
