Open Access

ARTICLE

Women’s Experiences with Intimate Partner Violence and Their Mental Health Status in India: A Qualitative Study of Sambalpur City

by Rashmi Rai, Ambarish Kumar Rai

1 School of Geography, Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, 768004, India
2 PG Department of Geography, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Arrah, 802301, India

* Corresponding Author: Ambarish Kumar Rai. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2020, 22(4), 291-302. https://doi.org/10.32604/IJMHP.2020.012153

Received 16 June 2020; Accepted 17 July 2020; Issue published 22 December 2020

Abstract

The intimate partner violence (IPV) against women has been identified as a violation of human rights and a serious public health concern. There is not only the immediate consequence of partner violence, such as injury or death but also the other long-term health consequences. IPV can be associated with psychological effects such as depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. The study aims to explore the nature and causes of IPV on women’s life and their personal experiences to deal with. This is an NGO-based study. For better understanding of the issues, Purposive sampling was used in selecting women with clinically diagnosed mental illness who experienced IPV. The qualitative research methodology was employed to explore the experiences and impact of IPV on the mental health status of women. For analysis, we used a phenomenological approach and conducted in-depth interviews. Findings show the participating women were suffering from IPV in physical, psychological, and sexual forms. Majority of respondents felt that wife-beating and abusing was fairly common. Most of the women had to face violence on a frequent and occasional basis. IPV experienced women were facing a mental illness like anxiety, depression and sleeping-disorder. The women, who were facing mental illness due to IPV, have been and continue to be exposed to such violence. Despite being employed and suffering from IPV deeply, women choose to stay with their abusive partner because of their children future, lack of support, and social security. The mental health of victims’ was clinically diagnosed, including self-assessed symptoms. It means participants were aware that they are mentally ill because of IPV. The healthy and quick recovery treatment should be given according to the need of women, rather than providing comprehensive standardised treatment for all.

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Keywords

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