Exploring the Depths of Scars: The Connection between Domestic Violence and Mental Health in Married Women from Faisalabad, Pakistan- Insights into Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Anger

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of domestic violence on the mental well-being of married women in Faisalabad, Pakistan, focusing on depression, anxiety, stress, and anger, and investigates variations between employed and unemployed women. Domestic violence, a pervasive issue affecting women's mental health worldwide, is particularly acute in Faisalabad's socio-economic milieu, where economic hardships heighten mental distress. Employing a methodology that surveyed 300 married women aged 18-55 using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), the Clinical Anger Scale (CAS), and a Domestic Violence Questionnaire, this research analyzed data via SPSS to determine the relationship between domestic violence and mental health issues. The results underscored a significant positive correlation between domestic violence and mental health afflictions, identifying domestic violence as a crucial predictor of such conditions, with nuanced differences observed between employed and unemployed respondents. Thus, the research supports women's empowerment by highlighting mental health awareness, gender-sensitive healthcare, community involvement, and cultural changes that promote wellness.