ASSESSMENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND ITS IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH: A POPULATION-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Authors : Edip Kaya, Mustafa Özkan Firat

Pages : 134-148

Doi:10.35232/estudamhsd.1590031

View : 93 | Download : 144

Publication Date : 2025-06-05

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study investigates the prevalence and predictors of domestic violence against women (VAW), with a particular focus on cultural factors that commonly encountered locally. It also examines the impact of VAW and these cultural factors on women’s mental health. The cross-sectional study was conducted with the 659 women aged 15-49 years residing in the city center of Ağrı, between February 15–March 15, 2024. Domestic Violence Against Women Scale and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 were used to measure VAW and mental health outcomes, respectively. Pearson correlation analyses used as preliminary analysis, and hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of VAW and mental health outcomes. The findings revealed 23.5% of women self-reported exposure to physical violence, and 31.4% of participants reported experiencing non-physical forms of domestic violence. Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that arranged marriage (β=-0.181), and living in an extended family (β=0.097) predicted VAW among cultural factors. Additionally, low husband’s education level (β=-0.230), low family monthly income (β=-0.105), and history of psychiatric illness (β=0.330) individual and familial factors that predicted VAW. Analyses regarding predictors of mental health outcomes revealed that domestic VAW, history of psychiatric illness and age difference with spouse strongly predicted women’s all mental health outcomes. Additionally, high husbands’ age predicted anxiety, and high husbands’ education level predicted depression, stress, and total DASS scores. The finding of this study underscore efforts to reduce violence against women and ensure mental well-being of women requires a comprehensive approach that considers the individual, familial, and cultural factors.
Keywords : Aile içi şiddet, kadın, ruh sağlığı, kültür, Türkiye

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