Intimate Partner Violence, Depression and Suicide Behaviours among Married Women in Mbale District.

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between intimate partner violence, depression and suicide behaviours among married women in Mbale district. Selection of participants included a random sampling strategy. Using a simple random sampling strategy, the study ensured a representative and diverse sample of married women from the 17 sub counties in Mbale district. This sample of 384 women aged between 14 and 60 years were administered to a closed ended questionnaire that included 4 sections that measured intimate partner violence, depression, suicide behaviours and also captured the person’s bio-data. The data was analyzed using linear and multiple regression models, and the results showed that there was a positive significant relationship between, intimate partner violence and suicide behaviours, intimate partner violence and depression, and depression and suicide behaviours. Furthermore depression was found to mediate the relationship between intimate partner violence and suicide behaviours. The finding of this study provide support of the importance of interventions aimed at reducing intimate partner violence and treating depression and suicide behaviours amongst women. The results of this study have implications for school law makers and enforcers, mental health professionals and for academicians or researchers in their efforts to reduce intimate partner violence, depression and suicide behaviours among women. Overall, this study adds to the existing literature on the importance of gratitude and optimism in promoting peace in relationships and mental health wellbeing of married women.