Emotional abuse as a precipitating factor for depression in women

Alisha Ali, Keith Oatley, Brenda B. Toner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study used a semi-structured interview format to assess the role of emotional abuse as a precipitating factor for depression in a sample of 40 women attending a women's therapy center. Results revealed that emotional abuse occurring in the year preceding the interview was associated with an increased likelihood of current major depression and with elevated scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. Our findings also indicated that the most prevalent domains of depressogenic emotional abuse in this sample of women were abuse in intimate relationships and harassment in the workplace. We suggest that these forms of abuse be integrated into the conceptualization of psychosocial risk factors for depression in women.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Emotional Abuse
Volume1
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1999

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Emotional abuse
  • Partner abuse
  • Women's mental health
  • Workplace harassment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Emotional abuse as a precipitating factor for depression in women'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this