The relationship between mental health and violence toward women during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has a number of psychological consequences for societies, especially women. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between mental health and violence toward women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.This study was conducted on during late October to November 2020 (N = 400). Demographic information questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire(GHQ-12) and violence toward women inventory(VTWI) were used.The results showed that violence was higher among employed women. Also, the results showed that VTW was higher in women with 3 children, high school degree, family income under 3 million and women over 40 years old. Findings showed that the mean mental health of women at the COVID-19 pandemic was moderate (15.14 ± 8.8). Also, with increasing psychological and economic violence, their mental health decreases. Therefore, it is suggested that policy makers and planners, apart from the physical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, pay attention to its psychological dimension, especially for women, and try to allocate funds to maintain and promote mental health and family.