Adult Victim and Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Mental Health Implications and Interventions

The overwhelming size and negative impact of IPV are documented. Research and clinical services have also exposed that victim/survivors most often face multiple forms of abuse in the course of the relationship. The negative impact of IPV to victim/survivors' mental health is also documented. Mental health professionals are uniquely positioned, through their close and confidential relationship with clients, to identify the abuse and to advance a woman's physical and mental health safety. This chapter reviews the prevalence of IPV in general and clinical populations, describes the forms of abuse, and focuses on critical components of clinical care.