Abstract:
This study aimed to examine the nature of traumatic events and psychiatric symptoms
among women survivors of violence (WSV) in Bangladesh and more specifically to examine the
association between specific traumatic events and specific psychiatric symptoms in WSV. If we
can know the possible psychiatric symptoms pattern after exposure of specific type of violence
then we can initiate need specific appropriate service plan for the target population. To fulfill the
purpose of this study 600 WSV (Mean age =26.86, SD =7.47) were collected as sample from
different social service organizations that work for WSV. The participants were collected from
six divisions of Bangladesh. We used several valid and reliable psychometric measurement tools
to identify traumatic events (physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological violence)
and psychiatric symptoms (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidal
ideation and substance abuse) of a WSV. Information about socio-demographic characteristics
and traumatic event related factors were collected through structured interview. Result of
descriptive statistics showed that emotional, psychological and physical violence were more
commonly reported by the WSV. Among various types of psychiatric symptoms PTSD, anxiety
and depression symptoms were found to be more common among WSV. Higher score on PTSD
and substance abuse were more commonly found among younger aged WSV where higher score
on depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation were more common among the older aged WSV.
Though emotional, psychological and physical violence were more prevalent but hierarchical
multiple regression analysis showed that, only psychological, sexual and economic violence have
significant independent predictive ability on some psychiatric symptoms (PTSD, anxiety and
depression). Traumatic event related factors, such as, witnessing violence in childhood among
parents and history of childhood abuse had unique predictive ability on suicidal ideation and
substance abuse respectively. This study suggested that non-physical form of violence has most
significant independent predictive ability in the development of psychiatric symptoms. So, in the
development of service plan as well as conducting further research for the WSV in Bangladesh
we need to concentrate more on the non-physical form of violence.
