Effects of Domestic Violence Against Women on Mental Health of Women and Children

Abstract

Domestic violence is violence or other abuse by one person against another in cohabitation or marriage. It isn’t surprise that women and children are world’s most victimized person due to domestic violence. Because, they are often powerless. In fact, domestic violence is not physical violence alone. Also women can be victimized by psychological, sexual or economical violence in marriage. Domestic violence, causes disturbance in mental health and life quality of women. Also exposure to violence increases use of medical services in these women, and even impairs long term mental development of their children. Children who witness to domestic violence may suffer from some behavioral and emotional disturbance. Furthermore these children may be the perpetration or experiencing of violence later in life. Domestic violence against women is risk factor for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder in these women. Therefore, questioning domestic violence in women who come to psychiatry clinic for getting help due to these reasons is crucial. The aim of this study was to review domestic violence against women, frequency, variables and the effect of domestic violence on women exposed to domestic violence and their children.

Keywords

• domestic violence
• woman
• child
• mental disorder