Childhood experiences of domestic violence and health service utilisation

BACKGROUND: Childhood experiences of domestic violence (EDV) are associated with short- and long-term adverse mental and physical health outcomes for victim-survivors; however, little is known about the health service utilisation among individuals with childhood EDV. OBJECTIVE: Examine associations between different forms of childhood EDV and health service utilisation. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data were drawn from the the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (n = 8503). METHODS: Associations between four forms of childhood EDV (physical violence, threats of harm, damage to property or pets, and intimidation or control) and past 12-month health service utilisation (hospitalisation, and consultation with seven health professionals) were analysed using survey-weighted logistic regression models. Estimates were calculated independently for each form of childhood EDV. Models were adjusted for each other form of EDV, four child maltreatment types, and socio-economic factors. Models were stratified by gender. RESULTS: Utilisation of mental health services (psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health nurses) were significantly more common among both women and men with childhood EDV compared to those without. The strongest associations were between any domestic violence and a primary care physician consultation (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.25-1.78), and intimidation or control and a mental health professional consultation (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.22-1.69), after full adjustment. Associations were typically stronger for men in the gender-stratified analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood EDV significantly increases the likelihood of health service utilisation across the lifespan. Greater investment in domestic violence education and training for health professionals is needed.