Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Domestic Abuse - Abuse of Spouse OR Partner
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Abuse of spouse or partner occurs when one partner attempts to harm the other in a relationship in which the two people are dating, married, or living together. A recent study of girls in 9th through 12th grade found that one out of five girls was physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
Abuse can take different forms, for example:
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Spousal abuse happens to people of all religions, ethnic origins, and income levels. It happens in both man-woman and same-sex relationships. Women are the victims of domestic violence in 9 out of 10 cases, most often when they are between the ages of 19 and 29.
Recent studies show a man is more likely to abuse his spouse or partner if he has been violent in the past. A partnership also has a higher chance of becoming violent if one or more of the following risk factors are present.
When two of these factors are present in a relationship, the risk of violence doubles. A couple with seven or more of these risk factors is 40 times more likely to have an abusive relationship.
Experts know that teens who have been abused are at higher risk for other health problems. However, we do not yet know whether the health problems came before the abuse or if the abuse increased the risk for the health problems. These problems include: