Background: Several studies have reported socioeconomic, socio-demographic factors, including violence against women to be associated with depression among women, but knowledge in the area among women living under extreme poverty in developing countries remains scarce. Relationship between intimate partner violence and women’s literacy in societies where violence is normative is complex, there are only limited data describing this difference in the distribution of violence exposure by residency and literacy. Few studies have addressed consequences of maternal depression and experiencing violence among women on children’s survival. Objective: The aim of this thesis is to determine prevalence of depressive episode and examine its association with violence by intimate partner and socioeconomic status It also assesses contribution of residency and literacy of women on vulnerability to physical violence by intimate partner, and independent effect of intimate partner violence and maternal depression on the risk of child death in rural Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 3016 randomly selected women in the age group between 15-49 years conducted from January to December 2002. A cohort study was done through following up women who gave birth to a live child within a year of the survey, in rural Ethiopia. Analysis was made using all the 3016 women, 1994 of the married women and 561 of women who gave birth within a year of the data collection time. Cases of depression were identified using the Amharic version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, experience of physical, sexual and emotional violence by intimate partner was made using the WHO multi-country study on women’s life events, and child death was measured by continuous demographic surveillance data from the Butajira Rural Health Program. Result: The twelve-month prevalence of depression was estimated to be 4.4%. In the analyses being currently married, divorced and widowed women, living in rural villages, having frequent khat chewing habit, having seasonal job and living in extreme poverty were factors independently associated with depression. Similarly, among the married women, experiencing physical violence, childhood sexual abuse, emotional violence and spousal control were factors independently associated with depressive episode. Women in the overall study area had beliefs and norms permissive towards violence against women. Violence against women was more prevalent in rural communities, in particular, among rural literate women and rural women who married a literate spouse. In this study, maternal depression was associated with under five child death. Although no association was seen between experiencing violence and child death, the risk of child death increases when maternal depression is combined with physical and emotional violence. Conclusion: Prevalence of depression among women was still in the lower range as compared to studies from high-income countries. Though depression is associated with socio-demographic factors and extreme poverty, the association is complex. The high prevalence of violence against women could be a contributing factor for preponderance of depression among women than in men. Urbanization and literacy are thought to promote changes in attitudes and norms against intimate partner violence. However, literacy within rural community might expose women to the higher risk of violence. Improving awareness of clinicians and public health workers on the devastating consequences of violence against women and depression is essential in order to identify and take measure when violence and maternal depression co-occurred.

Abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) is highly prevalent in Pakistan. Social support is associated with a reduced risk for violence and adverse mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between social support and the occurrence of IPV and adverse mental health among Pakistani women exposed to IPV, along with exploring help-seeking behaviour using qualitative interviews. Data from a cross-sectional survey of 759 women, aged 25–60, were analyzed using logistic regression. The results demonstrated that informal social support was associated with fewer occurrences of all forms of IPV and less likelihood of adverse mental health when exposed to psychological violence, whereas formal social support was associated with more occurrences of all forms of IPV and more likelihood of adverse mental health when exposed to psychological violence. The qualitative result showed that fear of social stigma and low autonomy were, among others, obstacles for seeking help. Suggestions for future interventions include strengthening informal social networks and expanding formal resources, as well as raising awareness of IPV in order to address the issue. / This thesis was made possible by a Minor Field Study grant from the Swedish International Developmental Agency (SIDA) distributed by the department of Psychology at Stockholm University and we would like to express our gratitude for assisting us financially. / PhD project by Tazeen Saeed Ali, School of Nursing, Aga Khan University, called, “Living with violence in the home - a normal part of Pakistani women's life or a serious transgression of human rights.”

Victims of teen dating violence (TDV) in the United States engage in risk behaviors that increase their vulnerability to ill health. Although teen dating violence affects millions of adolescents of diverse ethnic backgrounds, there is a higher prevalence of TDV among Blacks and Latinos. In order to develop effective interventions for diverse populations, it is critical to understand the risk behaviors associated with different victims of TDV. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether there is a difference between the risk behaviors (alcohol abuse, illegal drug use and perilous sexual intercourse) engaged in by Black, Latino and White adolescent victims of TDV. The national 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was the source of data. This thesis hypothesizes that there are different risk behaviors related to each ethnic group, and aims to provide information to support the development of culturally competent TDV interventions.

No description available.

Emerging research has shown that women and men perceive criminal stalking differently, yet there is little research addressing why these differences exist. For example, mock juror research on intimate stalking has found that men are more likely than women to render lenient judgments (e.g., not-guilty verdicts). Understanding the underlying attitudes associated with differences in how men and women interpret whether certain behaviors would cause reasonable fear is crucial to an evaluation of current anti-stalking legislation. The primary goals of this research were: (1) to examine the extent to which beliefs that support stalking (i.e., stalking myth acceptance – SMA victim blame, SMA flattery, and SMA nuisance) predicted individual trial judgments of men and women, and (2) to test whether endorsement of SMA can be predicted from particular attitudinal correlates (e.g., hostility toward women). Overall, women were more likely than men (N = 360) to render trial judgments (e.g., guilty verdicts) supportive of the victim and were less likely to endorse SMA beliefs. Results also indicated that endorsement of particular SMA beliefs and personal experience (being the victim of and/or knowing a victim) explained why women and men differed on some trial judgments. For example, the odds of rendering a guilty verdict were less for participants who endorsed SMA flattery beliefs. In addition, participants who reported knowing someone who had been a victim were at greater odds of rendering a guilty verdict. Finally, participants who endorsed more traditional gender-role stereotypes were more likely to adhere to SMA beliefs. Results provide insight into the efficacy of current anti-stalking legislation that relies on a juror’s capacity to evaluate an “objective” interpretation (i.e., “reasonable person”) standard of fear for intimate stalking.

Homophobic attitudes pervade our society and specifically our justice system, which negatively impact legal protection for lesbian victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Juror stereotypes about IPV victims and perpetrators as well as their biases based on sexual orientation may be a hindrance to IPV cases being reported and successfully prosecuted. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the impact that mock jurors’ attitudes toward homosexuals and gender roles, and their acceptance of myths about domestic violence had on their perceptions of lesbian IPV. Heterosexual undergraduate students (N = 259) read a trial summary in which the defendant was charged with physically assaulting her same-sex partner. The trial varied as to whether the victim and defendant were depicted via images as feminine or masculine and thus were either stereotypical or counter-stereotypical. Participants rendered verdicts and made judgments about the victim and defendant (e.g., credibility, sympathy). Results indicated that a masculine victim indirectly increased the likelihood of rendering guilty verdicts by increasing anger toward the defendant. Participants with negative attitudes toward lesbians rated the defendant as low in credibility, and when the victim was masculine, these participants had more anger toward the defendant than participants with more positive attitudes. Participants high on hostile sexism (i.e., attitudes that justify male power) or domestic violence myth acceptance (i.e., endorsement of false beliefs that justify physical aggression against intimate partners) minimized the seriousness of the incident, which decreased the likelihood of rendering guilty verdicts. Participants low in benevolent sexism (i.e., feelings of protectiveness toward women that support traditional gender roles) rated the incident as lower in seriousness and had less anger toward the defendant for a feminine victim paired with a masculine defendant. Participants high in benevolent sexism rated the incident as less serious when the victim and defendant were both feminine, and had more anger toward the defendant when the victim was masculine and the defendant was feminine. Results provide insight into the relationships between victim and defendant stereotypicality and individual differences in attitudes on mock juror decision-making in lesbian IPV cases.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is public health and human rights concern. The studies forming this thesis seek to understand healthcare worker and community attitudes and perceptions about IPV; their role in support, care and prevention of IPV, and the feasibility of introducing routine screening for IPV among women attending healthcare. Methods: Four interrelated studies were conducted in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 1) a content analysis of 16 in-depth interviews with healthcare workers about their experiences of meeting IPV clients, 2) a grounded theory analysis of seven focus group discussions that explore community perceptions, 3) a cross sectional study of 657 healthcare workers and students to understand their attitudes and perceptions about IPV and future roles in care and support, and 4) evaluation of a pilot intervention that introduces routine screening in an outpatient department. The pilot intervention included screening of 102 women, ten observations of healthcare worker interactions with women clients, three focus group discussions, and five narratives written by healthcare workers about their experiences with the screening tools. Results: Gender inequalities, attitudes, and poverty intersect in the explanation of IPV. Healthcare workers view low economic status among women, rigid gender norms, and stigma that influences women to stay in violent relationships. Alcohol abuse, multiple sexual partners and low levels of income among men were cited as triggers for IPV episodes. Between 20-67% of healthcare workers and students report meeting IPV clients at work. More than 9o% observed clients with unexplained feelings of sadness and/or loss of confidence. Resource and training limitations, heavy workloads and low salaries constrain services. A strong desire to make a difference in the care and support of IPV clients was present, but violence as a hidden agenda with a client resistance to disclosure was a challenge. The community study shows a transition in gender norms is making violence against women less acceptable. Conclusions and suggestions: Healthcare workers and the community strongly wish and are committed to support IPV prevention. Both groups understood the meaning, provocative factors and some IPV effects. This awareness contributes to their desire to be part of a change. At the central level, prevention of IPV should be on the governments’ policy agenda and should be prioritised. Education about gender-based violence must be incorporated into the curricula of healthcare workers. At community level, advocacy is necessary for changing harmful gender norms and measures to combat women’s poverty. Men should be engaged at all levels. Provision of information on the human rights perspectives of IPV should be strengthened and related to other types of violence.

Bakgrund: Relationsvåld riktat mot kvinnor är ett globalt folkhälsoproblem med många negativa hälsokonsekvenser. Våld i nära relationer sägs vara vanligt och kulturellt accepterat i Ghana trots införandet av Domestic Violence Act år 2007 som gör relationsvåld illegalt. Forskning har visat att sjuksköterskor besitter en nyckelposition för att arbeta mot relationsvåld men att många sjuksköterskor saknar beredskap. Sjuksköterskeutbildningen har visat sig vara otillräcklig vad gäller relationsvåld. Syfte: Att beskriva Ghananska sjuksköterskestudenters attityder till relationsvåld och hur ämnet berörs i utbildningen. Metod: En deskriptiv kvalitativ studie som baseras på data från sex semistrukturerade intervjuer med Ghananska sjuksköterskestudenter. Intervjuerna spelades in, transkriberades och analyserades därefter med hjälp av innehållsanalys. Resultat: Sjuksköterskestudenterna kände sig förberedda för att möta kvinnor utsatta för relationsvåld och ansåg att sjuksköterskan hade en viktig roll. Studenterna tyckte att relationsvåld var ett problem som skulle lösas inom familjen och sjuksköterskan beskrevs ha en roll som rådgivare. Ingen av studenterna tyckte att relationsvåld var acceptabelt. De pratade om könsroller, mannens överordnade position i familjen och att våld uppstod när rollerna inte upprätthölls. Låg utbildningsnivå sågs som en orsak till att relationsvåld uppstår och utbildning föreslogs vara en nyckel till att eliminera relationsvåld. Slutsats: En förbättrad sjuksköterskeutbildning som problematiserar relationsvåld ur ett genusperspektiv behövs för att påverka blivande sjuksköterskors attityder och möjliggöra en professionell vård av utsatta patienter världen över. Klinisk betydelse: För att förbättra sjuksköterskeutbildningar borde relationsvåld och dess samband med den könsbestämda maktstrukturen uppmärksammas i större utsträckning. / Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health problem with many negative health consequences. IPV is said to be common and culturally accepted in Ghana despite the introduction of The Domestic Violence Act 2007 that prohibits IPV. Research has shown that nurses are in a key position to handle IPV though many nurses are unprepared. A lack of IPV education for nursing students has been identified. Aim: To describe Ghanaian nursing students’ attitudes toward IPV and how it is addressed in their education. Method: A descriptive qualitative study based on data from six semi-structured interviews with Ghanaian nursing students. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed with content analysis. Results: Ghanaian nursing students felt prepared to meet IPV and they thought that nurse’s role was of importance. Students advocated for a domestic handling of IPV and described the nurse’s role as a counsellor. None of the students found IPV acceptable. Students spoke about the gender roles and illuminated the view of the man as superior and that lack of role performance might lead to IPV. Low educational level was spoken of as a reason for the prevalence of IPV and suggested as a key to the elimination of IPV. Conclusion: To affect nurses’ attitudes and enable professional handling of IPV we suggest more IPV education that problematizes IPV from a gender perspective in nursing programmes globally. Clinical significance: To improve nursing educations concerning IPV more attention needs to be given IPV and the correlation between IPV and the gendered power structure.

The current study explored the association between sexual minorities’ experiences in schools and relationships. Socio-political-psychological theory provided a framework for the exploration of how retrospective reports of sexual orientation violence in school (SOVS) and school environment predicted the experience and perpetration of sexual minority intimate partner violence (SMIPV). Because of its relation to both school and interpersonal violence, alcohol was also hypothesized to predict rates of experiencing and perpetrating SMIPV. Group differences for all scales were explored on the basis of sexual orientation, gender, race/ethnicity, and education. Chi-square and analysis of variance analyses revealed several significant differences. Logistic regressions revealed that the experience of SOVS was not found to significantly affect the risk of experiencing or perpetrating SMIPV. However, a negative school environment was found to affect the risk of experiencing and perpetrating SMIPV differentially by gender and race, respectively. Results also revealed that alcohol significantly predicted the perpetration of SMIPV.

Much research has been conducted about domestic violence using heterosexual women samples. This study investigated how heterosexual and lesbian women make attributions about domestic violence, as well as their myth endorsement behaviors. It also looked at the effect of participants’ egalitarianism on their victim blaming behaviors and the effect of their own victimization on their perpetrator blaming behaviors. Analyses were also conducted to examine the relationship between attribution behaviors and myth endorsement behaviors. ANOVA results indicated that heterosexual and lesbian women tend to exhibit similar patterns in the attributions of blame behaviors, though heterosexual women engaged in greater victim blame and situational blame than did lesbian women. ANCOVA results suggested a relationship between egalitarianism and victim blaming behaviors, but not between victimization history and perpetrator blaming behaviors. Pearson correlation analyses showed that relationships did exist between some attributions and myths, though not between all of them. Finally, ANOVA results indicated that heterosexual and lesbian women engage in similar myth endorsement behaviors, with heterosexual women endorsing myths more than lesbian Heterosexual and Lesbian Women’s ix women. Strengths, limitations, directions for future research, and implications for practice are also discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services