Factors Affecting Behaviors of Women with Breast Cancer Facing Intimate Partner Violence Based on PRECEDE-PROCEED Model

Introduction: More than half of women in Iran experience intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to explore IPV in women with breast cancer (BC) in Ardabil, Iran. Moreover, the predictors of violence and women’s reactions against violence were examined. Methods: Using a convenient sampling method, the current cross-sectional study was performed on 211 women with BC in northwest of Iran. To collect data, a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and items based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model and women's reaction to violence was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS Ver. 20 and descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In this study, 190 (90%) subjects reported that they had experienced IPV in the preceding year. Only 27(12.8%) women were familiar with all forms of violence. Moreover, 141 (66.8%) and 160 (75.8%) women had no access to counseling centers and life skill training courses, respectively. Women mostly had adopted emotion-oriented coping strategies when facing IPV. The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that enabling factors and knowledge were predictors of problem-oriented coping strategies in women. Conclusion: Empowered women, for the most part, were better educated and had more access to social resources than others. Therefore, empowering women can help reduce the amount of violence they might have to encounter. It is essential that supporting and empowering centers for women be established in the society and efficient laws be enacted to fight IPV.