Domestic Violence in Married Women with Mental Illness & Non-Mental Illness

Domestic violence against women is the most pervasive human rights violation in the world today. According to UNiTE to End Violence against Women (2009) by UN Women, In the United States, one-third of women murdered each year are killed by intimate partners. In South Africa, a woman is killed every 6 hours by an intimate partner.

To assess the magnitude and causes of domestic violence with mental illness & non-mental illness.

The sample of study comprised of 50 women with mental illness and 50 women with non-mental illness. Mental illness patient diagnosed according to with Axis one psychiatric Disorder DSM IV-TR, who were selected from the Psychiatry OPD and ward of the S.S. Hospital, BHU and non-mental illness were be selected from the accompany with patients of Sir Sunder Lal Hospital. The patients were assessed on the structured questionnaire on Domestic Violence.

The domestic violence present in married women with mental illness was 72% and non-mental illness was 36%. Perceived causes of domestic violence in married women with mental illness were more compared to those with non-mental illness. The health care personnel should be given an opportunity to update their knowledge regarding domestic violence and there is need education for domestic violence and cessation, so that they can help the women to protect/prevent domestic violence.