• Hina Hussain, Sadiq Hussain, Samar Zahra, and Talib Hussain.
• Mrs. Hina Hussain, M.Phil. Department of Behavioral Sciences, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, Pakistan.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2020 May 1; 36 (4): 627-631.

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of domestic violence, associated risk factors, and its impacts on women's mental health in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan.MethodsThis is a sequential explanatory strategy that is a mixed-method research design was conducted at Department of Behavioral Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit from January 2017 to June 2018 on 160 married women. Quantitative data were collected using Karachi domestic violence screening scale and mental health inventory and qualitative data were collected through interview guides. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were applied to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsMarried women in GB reported higher levels of domestic violence (88.8%; psychological (69.4%), physical (37.5%) & sexual (21.2%). Abused women reported lower levels of mental health (t=3.19, p=0.00); psychological wellbeing (t=2.03, p=0.04), general positive affect (t=2.09, p=0.03), and life satisfaction (t=2.39, p=0.01) and higher levels of psychological distress (t=3.27, p=0.00), anxiety (t=3.06, p=0.00), depression (t=2.60, p=0.01), and loss of emotional/behavioral control (t=3.05, p=0.00) as compared to non-abused women. Risk factors behind domestic violence were identified as; poverty, the influence of in-laws, second marriage, stepchildren, forceful intimate relationships, husband's irresponsibility, and addiction, and handicapped children.ConclusionsWe found higher level of domestic violence, associated risk factors, and poor mental health of abused women in GB.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

5 keywords...

hide…