Interpersonal Violence and Health in Female University Students in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Most studies address the health impact of violence by an intimate partner; therefore, violence exerted by someone other than a partner in university students and its health effects are less known.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the effect of different forms of interpersonal violence on female university students' health.

DESIGN: Women 18 to 25 years of age enrolled at two schools of the University of Valencia in the academic year 2013-2014 (N = 540) were selected, with a participation rate of 82%. Students were grouped as follows: no lifetime violence, violence by an intimate partner (IPV), other personal violence (OPV), and by both (IPV and OPV). Adjusted logistical regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of the different forms of violence on students' health.

RESULTS: As many as 92 students (20.6%) experienced violence at least once in their lives: 46 (10.3%) by an intimate partner, 24 (5.4%) by someone other than a partner, and 22 (4.9%) by both. Abused students are more likely to suffer psychological distress and poor health perception, and more regularly used psychoactive drugs than nonabused students, although the use of medication is higher for those abused by a partner and others. Women who experienced only IPV are more likely to suffer psychological distress (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.78, p < .05, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.10-2.86]), while those who experienced only OPV are more than twice as likely to perceive their health as poor (aOR = 2.68, p < .05, 95% CI [1.38-5.22]).

CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of violence and its consistent association with a wide range of female university students' health problems suggest that violence seriously compromises women's health.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prevention programs that promote harmonious social relationships among university students should be implemented.