The Relationship between Spousal Abuse and Generalized Anxiety in Women Referring to the Social Emergency Department of Tehran

Abstract

Background and Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between spousal abuse and generalized anxiety in women referring to the social emergency department of Tehran in 2023. Methods and Materials: The research method was descriptive-survey. The statistical population of this study included women referring to the social emergency department of Tehran, approximately 6,000 individuals according to the latest statistics from Tehran's emergency departments. A proportional stratified sampling method was used, and the distribution of the questionnaires and data collection were conducted randomly among them. The Cochran formula was used to estimate the sample size, resulting in 380 participants in our statistical sample. The research instruments for data collection were the Spouse Abuse Questionnaire (Hudson & McIntosh, 1981) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (Antony et al., 2002), both of which were validated for reliability and validity before implementation. Findings: The findings of the study indicate a significant positive relationship between the components of spousal abuse and the level of anxiety in women. Regression results showed that spousal abuse (non-physical and physical abuse) explains 14% of the variance in women's generalized anxiety levels. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that spousal abuse plays a significant role in the development and exacerbation of generalized anxiety in women. These findings can assist in planning preventive and intervention strategies to reduce spousal abuse and generalized anxiety.