title: Violence Against Widows in Nepal: Experiences, Coping Behaviors, and Barriers in Seeking Help.
abstract: Widows are a vulnerable population in Nepal. This study examined Nepalese widows' experiences of violence, their coping strategies, and barriers faced in seeking help. Study participants were recruited from Women for Human Rights, an NGO in Nepal. A stratified purposive sampling approach was used to select 51 widows and 5 staff members for in-depth interviews. Twenty-seven women who experienced violence were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed and synthesized using a thematic analysis procedure. Widows reported a range of violent experiences perpetrated by family and community members that spanned psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Women dealt with abusive experiences using both adaptive (e.g., attempting to move ahead, seeking social support, using verbal confrontation) and maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., suicidal thoughts or self-medication). However, they faced barriers to seeking help such as insensitivity of the police, perceived discrimination, and general lack of awareness of widows' problems and needs. Findings highlight the need for interventions across the individual, family, community, and policy levels. Avenues for intervention include creating awareness about widows' issues and addressing cultural beliefs affecting widows' lives. Furthermore, efforts should focus on empowering widows, promoting healthy coping, and addressing their individual needs.
authors: Community and Public Health Department, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Bushra
authors: B
authors: Sabri
authors: Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Shrutika
authors: S
authors: Sabarwal
authors: Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Michele R
authors: MR
authors: Decker
authors: Women for Human Rights, Single Women Group, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Abina
authors: A
authors: Shrestha
authors: Women for Human Rights, Single Women Group, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Kunda
authors: K
authors: Sharma
authors: Women for Human Rights, Single Women Group, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Lily
authors: L
authors: Thapa
authors: Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA psurkan@jhu.edu.
authors: Pamela J
authors: PJ
authors: Surkan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Nepal; barriers; coping; help-seeking; violence; widows