Nature of traumatic events and psychiatric symptoms among women survivors of violence

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.