Severity of violence and quality of life of women with psychiatric disorders as compared to normal controls

Abstract

Background: Despite the fact that violence against women is a significant public health problem, there is a paucity of research into this area, and little is known about the extent to which women with psychiatric disorders are affected. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the severity of violence and quality of life of women with psychiatric disorders and normal controls. Materials and Methods: Based on purposive sampling technique, a sample consisting of 120 participants was selected from in-patient (female section) and outpatient services of the Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences and Kanke Area. Both groups were matched on sociodemographic details. Normal controls were screened using General Health Questionnaire-12. The severity of violence against women scale and the revised Conflict Tactics Scale were used to assess the severity of violence, and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF scale was used for the assessment of the quality of life. Scales were scored as per their test manuals. Results were tabulated and compared using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Women with psychiatric illness as well as normal controls faced various forms of symbolic violence equally. Women with psychiatric disorders faced significantly higher severity of physical assault, sexual coercion, and injury as compared to normal controls. Women with psychiatric disorders had significantly lower scores on WHOQOL BREF compared to normal participants. Conclusion: Women with psychiatric disorders suffered significantly higher severity of both physical and sexual violence and had significantly worse quality of life compared to normal controls.

Clinical-neuropsychological profile and quality of life in women who have suffered gender-based violence

“…This risk pattern seems to be characteristic among our women, regardless of their nationality and/or cultural group they belong to. [11][12][13][57][58][59][60] These findings are important for organizations that design support programs for victims of violence, for a timely global intervention and rehabilitation that can generate an impact on the maximum possible number of women, in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development. The results of this study support the need for a comprehensive assessment, not only physical but psychological and social in victims of violence, encouraging a rethinking of reception and intervention protocols, with special focus on care for women victims of sexual violence.…”

“…There has been a recent increase in studies of how violence against women affects their health in different areas, including the mental, 2-4 cognitive, 5,6 physical, 7,8 sexual, 9,10 and social dimensions. [11][12][13] Studies conducted in Ecuador indicate that 64.9% of women are victims of some type of violence, 14 the most frequent being physical violence, psychological violence, and sexual violence. 15 Authors, such as Kaur and Kumar 16 and Bichard et al, 17 have pointed out that these violent actions can have permanent physical sequelae such as motor disorders, burns, and scars, reaching high levels of severity and leading to loss of consciousness or mild head trauma.…”

Female Sexual Violence: A 12-Year Experience at a Single University Hospital in North-East Italy

“…Similarly, a study conducted in the United States identified “major psychiatric diagnoses” in 26% of 819 female patients who presented to an Emergency Department following the report of sexual assault [ 13 ]. Moreover, various studies have highlighted the significant prevalence of victimization among individuals with mental illness, including instances of sexual assault [ 14 , 15 ]. These findings confirm that psychiatric conditions increase the vulnerability of women to SV and abuse.…”

Social Capital and Quality of Life among the Refugees residing in Mbarara City Southwestern Uganda

“…The WHOQOL-BREF consists of four domains, Physical health, Psychological, Social relationships, environment domain, and other two questions related to overall quality of life and satisfaction. This tool yields good psychometric measures and has been used in various setting [24,25].The four domain scores are scored in a positive direction with higher scores indicating a higher quality of life with three items (two under physical health and one under the facet of mental health) scored on a reverse order with a possible total score of 100. For analysis, we computed the total score to yield the variable Quality of Life as a dependent variable.…”