Risk markers of severe psychological violence against women: a WorldSAFE multi-country study.
This study was an attempt to determine the prevalence and significant risk factors associated with severe psychological violence in 6 WorldSAFE sites. The respondents were 3975 women aged 15-49 years and residing in selected urban areas in Chile, Egypt, the Philippines and India. Using a standard instrument translated locally, psychological violence was measured using items indicating the following domains: verbal abuse, fear and separation. A woman who had experienced severe psychological violence had admitted that she had experienced any of the above-mentioned behaviors '3 or more times' in her lifetime (lifetime prevalence) or with her current partner during the past 12 months (current prevalence). The results showed a lifetime prevalence of severe psychological violence ranging from 10.5% of women in Egypt to about 50% in Chile and Trivandrum, India. Verbal abuse was most common among the different behavioral indicators. A woman's mental health status and partner alcohol use were found to be the common significant risk factors. Recommendations were made to facilitate efforts to address severe psychological violence in developing countries.
Ramiro
Laurie S
LS
Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines, Manila. lsramiro8888@yahoo.com
Hassan
Fatma
F
Peedicayil
Abraham
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data