 
Domestic violence study targets
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The physical and emotional wounds of domestic violence may take years to heal. A groundbreaking new study at Saint Louis University will examine, for the first time, just how deep those scars go.
The Women's Wellness Project will explore how violence-related injuries, including scars and other permanent changes to the body, affect a woman's psychological well-being.
Those often-chronic injuries can contribute to ongoing physical and emotional difficulties, including depression, post-traumatic stress, chronic physical pain and greatly diminished self-esteem.
"We want to do everything possible to help victims of domestic violence mend their multiple wounds," said Dr. Terri Weaver, principal investigator and assistant professor of psychology. "This research will help service providers tailor specific interventions for victims of intimate partner violence."
The Women's Wellness Project will assess 60 women, all of whom have experienced intimate partner violence within the last year. The assessment will include questionnaires, interviews and a meeting with a board-certified physician. The assessments will take place in the Psychological Services Center. The National Institute of Mental Health is funding the two-year study.
October was designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to shed light on the issue.
The Missouri Crime Summary reported more than 41,000 domestic violence incidents in 1999. However, the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that about half of the incidents of intimate partner violence experienced by women go unreported to the police.
Weaver said violence-related injuries often lay the foundation for a complex mixture of emotional and physical problems. The study also may shed light on potential barriers that women survivors experience when trying to get their needs met within traditional health care services.
"Knowing more about the various ways that women react to violence-related injury will help clinicians determine the best method of treatment so the healing process can be successful," Weaver said. "This research may guide important changes in health care services."
For information about the Women's Wellness Study, call the confidential voice mail for the study at 977-2194.
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