Women reporting intimate partner violence in India: Associations with PTSD and depressive symptoms

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is prevalent worldwide and often has mental health sequelae. The aims of this study were (a) to describe the prevalence and the nature of PTSD symptoms among Indian women reporting IPV, (b) to study the relationship between symptoms of PTSD and depression, and (c) to examine the relationship between sexual coercion and PTSD symptoms. Consecutive women (n = 105) presenting to an adult psychiatry outpatient unit of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in South India were recruited. These women were assessed for IPV, sexual coercion, PTSD symptoms, and depression. Fifty-nine women (56%) reported a history of IPV, of whom 41 (70%) also reported sexual coercion. Among women reporting IPV, seven (14%) exceeded cut-off scores for PTSD and twelve (20%) exceeded cut-off scores for sub-threshold PTSD. The majority of those reporting IPV exceeded cut-off scores for a depressive disorder. Compared to women without a history of IPV, women reporting IPV had higher scores on PTSD and depression. Severity of violence and sexual coercion correlated positively (r = 0.39) with PTSD severity. The findings highlight the importance of screening women for IPV and its sequelae, in mental health settings.