Evaluating the predictors of psychiatric impact using general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) in victims exposed to physical domestic violence.

INTRODUCTION

Domestic violence (DV) is a critical public health issue and a violation of basic human rights, leading to long-term physical and psychological consequences. This study aimed to assess the mid- to long-term psychiatric effects of physical DV in victims presenting to the emergency department (ED) and to identify demographic and trauma-related factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included adult patients who presented to the ED due to physical DV between July 2023 and December 2024. Sociodemographic characteristics, marital factors, and trauma-related data were recorded at admission. Psychiatric evaluation was conducted three months later via telepsychiatry using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Participants were categorized based on GHQ-28 scores (<4 vs. ≥4), and comparative analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 219 patients (median age: 34 years) were included. Clinically significant psychological distress (GHQ-28 ≥ 4) was observed in 52.1 % of participants. Higher GHQ-28 scores were significantly associated with prior psychiatric history, arranged marriage, neck trauma, and non-consensual marital relationships (p < 0.05). Although patients with sufficient income were more likely to revisit the ED (OR: 2.252, 95 % CI: 1.152-4.400, p = 0.018), GHQ-28 scores were not directly related to recurrent visits.

CONCLUSION

Physical DV exerts considerable psychiatric effects beyond the acute phase. Factors such as prior psychiatric illness, childhood violence exposure, arranged marriage, low education, and neck trauma independently predict adverse outcomes. These findings underscore the need for integrated ED care that includes early psychological assessment and long-term psychiatric follow-up.