True or False: Female victims are more likely than other women to suffer serious long-term health problems.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not determinable
• D. Cannot be determined

Answer: (A)

Experiencing intimate partner violence raises the likelihood that women will develop serious, long-lasting health problems compared with women who have not experienced such violence. The impact comes from a combination of immediate injuries, ongoing physical stress, and the extended effects of trauma on both the body and mind. Over time, this can manifest as chronic pain (headaches, back and neck pain), reproductive and gynecological issues, sleep disturbances, and a higher prevalence of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The health toll is often compounded by barriers to accessing care, stigma, and the cumulative effect of ongoing stress, all of which help explain why female victims tend to have greater long-term health problems. While violence can affect anyone, the body of research shows a consistently higher long-term health burden for women who experience intimate partner violence.