Intimate Partner Violence, Disability and use of Drugs: Psychological Effects, the Case of Women with Disabilities in Spain

Background: This study examines the varying incidence of certain psychological consequences resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) among women, comparing those with disabilities to those without. To ensure accuracy and objectivity in the analysis, a variable was constructed using data from the macro-survey on gender violence. This variable is utilized to adjust the results and focus specifically on responses from the study group survey pertaining to psychological impacts and substance use.Methods: This study utilizes quantitative data from the VI Macro-Survey on Violence against Women (MEVM-2019), the new data from de MEVM-2023 are still unavailable, specifically focusing on psychological aspects such as medication usage resulting from intimate partner violence, suicidal thoughts, and engagement with psychological services. A unique variable was developed for this research by correlating disability-related questions with responses to the study's inquiries. This variable was constructed based on insights gleaned from the survey conducted within the study cohort.Results: The findings reveal that disability substantially heightens the incidence of psychological ramifications stemming from this form of violence against women. This heightened impact may contribute to increased reliance on their partners and reduced levels of social integration.Conclusions: The data collected in this study indicate a higher incidence of responses among individuals with functional diversity compared to those without it. Notably, assistance-seeking behaviors, particularly towards psychologists, show a nearly fourfold increase among people with disabilities. This suggests the perceived usefulness of such services in these cases, highlighting a potential avenue for further research by professionals and for service development by administrations. Establishing dedicated services for individuals with disabilities could be warranted given their high incidence and acceptance rates.