Domestic Violence and Pakistani Women
Abstract
This research investigated the psychosocial impact of domestic violence on Pakistani women. A 15-item scale was devised to measure the frequency of the occurrence of different types of domestic violence in an average month. The sample consisted of ten adult married women from high socio-economic group, presently, under treatment as out-patients after being exposed to spousal violence during the past 5 years. All the subjects reported being exposed to verbal threats of violence, abusive language, throwing things around, a “little slap”, pushing, shoving, kicking, punching and injury with a household object three to four times a month. In addition, 20% admitted experiences of forced sex, biting and choking on an average of once or twice a month.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Cornell Index (CI) showed significantly above-average scores (X = 21) and X = 13, respectively) obtained by the victims of domestic violence. Personal History Questionnaire, Mental Status Examination and House-Tree-Person (HTP) drawings suggested serious intrapsychic and interpersonal conflicts with significant features of clinical depression; fear of males, episodic regressive behaviour and a chronic state of post-traumatic syndrome. These findings further suggest association between “Spousal Violence” and “Parental Violence” which may be attributed to the fact that in all cases spouses were chosen by their fathers who might have chosen their sons-in-law very similar to themselves. However, a comparative sample much larger in size (both males and females) is needed to support such a “Displacement Hypothesis”.
Statement of Problem
This research investigated the psychosocial impact of domestic violence on Pakistani women. Domestic violence was operationally defined by a 15-item scale that measured the frequency of the occurrence of the following types of violence in an average month:
1. Verbal threats of violence
2. Abusive language towards the spouse/partner
3
3.
This research investigated the psychosocial impact of domestic violence on Pakistani women. A 15-item scale was devised to measure the frequency of the occurrence of different types of domestic violence in an average month. The sample consisted of ten adult married women from high socio-economic group, presently, under treatment as out-patients after being exposed to spousal violence during the past 5 years. All the subjects reported being exposed to verbal threats of violence, abusive language, throwing things around, a “little slap”, pushing, shoving, kicking, punching and injury with a household object three to four times a month. In addition, 20% admitted experiences of forced sex, biting and choking on an average of once or twice a month.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Cornell Index (CI) showed significantly above-average scores (X = 21) and X = 13, respectively) obtained by the victims of domestic violence. Personal History Questionnaire, Mental Status Examination and House-Tree-Person (HTP) drawings suggested serious intrapsychic and interpersonal conflicts with significant features of clinical depression; fear of males, episodic regressive behaviour and a chronic state of post-traumatic syndrome. These findings further suggest association between “Spousal Violence” and “Parental Violence” which may be attributed to the fact that in all cases spouses were chosen by their fathers who might have chosen their sons-in-law very similar to themselves. However, a comparative sample much larger in size (both males and females) is needed to support such a “Displacement Hypothesis”.
Statement of Problem
This research investigated the psychosocial impact of domestic violence on Pakistani women. Domestic violence was operationally defined by a 15-item scale that measured the frequency of the occurrence of the following types of violence in an average month:
1. Verbal threats of violence
2. Abusive language towards the spouse/partner
3
3.
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