Open AccessHealth of Homeless Women with Recent Experience of Rape
Author(s) -
Wenzel Suzanne L.,
Leake Barbara D.,
Gelberg Lillian
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of general internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.746
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1525-1497
pISSN - 0884-8734
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2000.04269.x
Subject(s) - medicine , mental health , psychological intervention , psychiatry , substance abuse , suicide prevention , occupational safety and health , poison control , confounding , injury prevention , sexual abuse , domestic violence , clinical psychology , environmental health , pathology
There is limited understanding of the physical health, mental health, and substance use or abuse correlates of sexual violence against homeless women. This study documents the association of rape with health and substance use or abuse characteristics reported by a probability sample of 974 homeless women in Los Angeles. Controlling for potential confounders, women who reported rape fared worse than those who did not on every physical and mental health measure and were also more likely to have used and abused drugs other than alcohol. Results should serve to alert clinicians about groups of homeless women who may benefit from rape screening and treatment interventions.