Intimate Partner Violence, Lifetime Victimization, and Sociodemographic and Clinical Profile of Women with Psychiatric Illness at a Tertiary Care Psychiatric Hospital in India

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the major public health problems. Little is known about the extent of violence experienced, its severity, or history of childhood abuse or exposure to intergenerational family violence in women with mental illness. METHODS: One hundred women seeking in-patients (IP) or out-patients (OP) services at a tertiary care psychiatric setting were recruited using consecutive sampling. IPV Questionnaire and Danger Assessment Questionnaire were administered. RESULTS: The data revealed a moderate level of IPV experienced by the women. In their childhood, more than one-third had undergone physical abuse by their fathers and witnessed violence by fathers toward mothers. CONCLUSION: Screening for intimate violence is essential in women attending mental health settings.