Psycho-social Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence

This study is aimed at assessing whether the effects of exposure to intimate partner violence reflects upon the psychological well-being and social functioning of women. The relationship of domestic violence with life orientation, satisfaction with life, self-esteem, social confidence, and social anxiety was specifically explored. A total of 416 women with age range of 18-55 years selected from eighteen towns of Karachi city participated in the study. Findings of study suggested that maried women in Pakistan are frequently exposed to oppressive behaviors by their intimate partners. Rates of physical abuse, psychological abuse and sexual abuse were 52%, 84%, and 55%, respectively in this study sample. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlation (p .001) between scores of participants on Karachi Domestic Violence Screening Scale Urdu version (Hassan Anila, 2009) and Siddiqui Shah Depression Scale (Siddiqui Shah, 1997). Significant negative correlation (p .001) existed between domestic violence and the following indicators of psychological well-being: Self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1989), positive orientation towards life (Scheier, Carver, Bridges,1994), and satisfaction with life (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, Griffm, 1985). A simple regression analysis showed that domestic violence significantly affects psychological well­ being of women, particularly their satisfaction with life, self­ esteem, and depression scores. The implications of the intimate partner violence as a marker for poor psychosocial well-being in married women are discussed in the context of Pakistani society.