Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Southern Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is known to cause physical suffering and psychological problems, which burden society. In addition, IPV-related psychological problems such as depressive symptoms may lead to disabilities, chronic mental illness, and an increased risk of suicide. PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore the factors associated with depressive symptoms in women who were physically abused by intimate partners. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 72 physically abused women from two domestic violence prevention centers in southern Taiwan. The questionnaires that were used to collect data included the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Conflict Tactic Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. RESULTS: Sixty-six of the participants (91.67%) met the inclusion criteria and completed all questionnaires. Fifty-five (83.3%) of the participants were found to have depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were positively associated in this sample with younger age, a lower level of extraversion, and a higher level of neuroticism. These three factors explained 59.5% of the total variance in depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Youth and neuroticism were found to be significant risk factors for developing depressive symptoms in female victims of IPV, whereas extraversion was found to be a related protective factor. The results of this study indicate that clinical workers should provide female victims of IPV, especially relatively young victims, with services that help ameliorate neuroticism to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.