Depression and intimate partner violence among college students in Iran

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials for Intimate Partner Violence: The Effects of the Programs Based on Their Purposes

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex global problem that has serious health consequences for victims. Many intervention programs have been introduced for IPV, with various target populations, purposes, designs, and outcomes. However, a consensus has not been reached regarding which type of program has the greatest impact. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of existing interventions on IPV risk and to compare the effects of the interventions based on their purposes and designs. Method: A systematic review and meta-analytic method were utilized in this study. Through a rigorous database search, 13 randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and included in the analysis. Results: The included interventions had a small effect size, which was statistically significant. The couple interventions aiming to reduce the risk of IPV perpetration and victimization simultaneously showed the greatest impact, compared to bystander interventions and interventions targeting either perpetrators or victims. The interventions aiming to reduce the risk of IPV perpetration showed a significant impact on changing gender equality-related knowledge and attitudes, and those aiming to reduce the risk of IPV victimization were effective in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes related to traditional norms, empowerment, and health conditions. The interventions targeting bystanders showed significant effects on increasing bystander-related attitudes and behaviors. Conclusion: Our findings provide strong evidence for future intervention programs for IPV. Long-term research to follow-up actual IPV reductions after interventions will be needed to confirm the findings of this study.

An Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Cyber-Dating Violence Victimization of Adolescent Girls: An Ecological Perspective

Cyber-dating violence (cyber-DV) is a prevalent issue among adolescent girls that can have negative consequences including post-traumatic stress symptoms and suicidal ideations and attempts. In the aim to reduce its prevalence and impacts, researchers are increasingly relying on the identification of risk and protective factors associated with cyber-DV across multiple ecological contexts. The current study aimed to examine the influence of individual (e.g., dissociation), interpersonal (e.g., offline forms of dating violence) and community level (e.g., community support) factors associated with the cyber-DV victimization of adolescent girls. A sample of 456 adolescent girls (M = 16.17 years old, SD = 1.28) was recruited online to complete a survey. At the individual level, emotion dysregulation, dissociative symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms and resilience were measured. Offline forms of DV and a history of child sexual abuse were assessed at the interpersonal level. Finally, at the community level, community support, community resilience, neighborhood material and social disadvantage were evaluated. Results from a hierarchical logistic regression indicated that exposure to offline DV namely verbal-emotional DV, sexual DV, threats, as well as living in neighborhoods with lower levels of social disadvantage were significantly associated with an increased risk of cyber-DV victimization. Cyber-DV preventative intervention efforts should focus on incorporating cyber-DV specific modules and activities into offline DV prevention and intervention programs as to reduce the likelihood of adolescents suffering both forms of DV and their associated repercussions.

Domestic Violence Against Women in North African and Middle Eastern Countries: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aimed to identify the scope of the current literature on the prevalence, consequences, and risk factors of domestic violence (DV) against women by their husbands or male partners in North African and Middle Eastern countries. The methodology for this scoping review was based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley. Studies published on DV against women over the age of 15 by partner or husband and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals between January 1970 and April 2018 were included in the review. The databases MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, Scopus, African Journals Online, Turkish Journal Database, and gray literature sources were searched. On completion of the review process, 151 full-text articles were identified for charting. This review demonstrated that women's age, women's education level, duration of marriage, history of childhood abuse/witnessing family violence, living in the rural region, and family income level were negatively associated with DV, indicating that younger women, women with lower education, a longer marriage duration, and a lower income level had a higher risk of exposure to DV in this region. Anxiety, depression/insomnia, and physical injury were the most common health problems reported by victims in the region. The highest proportion of women with no response to violence was reported in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The findings of this scoping review represent the first attempt to summarize the literature from North African and Middle Eastern countries and demonstrate the similarity in DV-related behaviors among women despite the cultural and regional diversity of the studies.

Sexual Aggression among Women and Men in an Iranian Sample: Prevalence and Correlates

This pre-registered study examined the prevalence and correlates of sexual aggression in a sample of 530 Iranians (322 women, 208 men) with a behaviorally specific questionnaire distinguishing between different coercive strategies, victim-perpetrator relationships, and sexual acts. Significantly more women (63.0%) than men (51.0%) experienced at least one incident of sexual aggression victimization since the age of 15 years, and significantly more men (37.0%) than women (13.4%) reported at least one incident of sexual aggression perpetration. In women and men, the experience of child sexual abuse predicted sexual victimization and sexual aggression perpetration after the age of 15 years, both directly and indirectly through higher engagement in risky sexual behavior. Greater endorsement of hostile masculinity among men explained additional variance in the prediction of sexual aggression perpetration. This research is a first step towards documenting and explaining high rates of sexual aggression victimization and perpetration among Iranian women and men, providing important information for sex education as well for the prevention of sexual aggression. However, to achieve these goals, we highlight the need for systematic actions in all educational, social, and legal sectors of Iranian society.

Empowerment, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms Among Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Attending Personal Empowerment Programs

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects one in three women and can have long-lasting psychological effects, with abuse survivors typically exhibiting elevated stress and depressive symptoms. However, women with greater personal empowerment resources (i.e., self-care, agency, self-efficacy) and who practice relaxation techniques generally exhibit lower stress and depressive symptoms. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Personal Empowerment Programs (PEP) and practicing relaxation techniques in promoting empowerment and lowering stress and depressive symptoms. Ninety women were recruited from PEP classes conducted at domestic violence agencies in Orange County, California. Salivary cortisol and affect were assessed before and after one PEP class. Perceived stress, depressive symptoms, empowerment, and relaxation techniques were also assessed. Practicing relaxation techniques correlated with more empowerment. For women without sexual abuse experiences only, having completed more classes (>5 classes) in the program was associated with greater empowerment, less stress, and fewer depressive symptoms. Implications extend to future studies and interventions for IPV survivors.

A mixed-method pilot study to test a program for friend-supporters of victims of dating violence

This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and impact of a bystander program (With You Education) in South Korea, designed to enhance the competencies of friend-supporters to help victims of dating violence (DV). To assess the potential impact of the program, the participants (n = 46) were asked to complete pre-, post-, and 1-year follow-up surveys and take part in a focused group interview after the training. Participants exhibited significant changes from pretest to posttest evaluation in terms of their competencies as a supporter. Most improvements were sustained over time. Four qualitative themes revealed the multilayered outcomes of this program: increased readiness to help, awareness of DV, beginning to understand the victims, and awareness of DV as a public health problem. With You Education was seen to be an acceptable program for young adults, which can be potentially utilized as a formal violence-related education.

The Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence and Association With Depression in University Students: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among university students, investigate the potential predictors of IPV in this population, and study the link between IPV and depression. The survey included sociodemographic, relationship quality, and depression-related questions. From 498 respondents, the prevalence of IPV was 4.8%, depression was 30.9%, and suicidal ideation was 20.3%. After adjusting for covariates and confounders, relationship satisfaction (odds ratio [OR], 0.201; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.101-0.401; p < 0.001) and jealousy (OR, 0.270; 95% CI, 0.094-0.776; p = 0.015) were significant predictors of IPV. Relationship satisfaction predicted depressive disorders (OR, 0.504; 95% CI, 0.365-0.698; p < 0.001). IPV trended toward predicting the presence of a depressive disorder (OR, 0.436; 95% CI, 0.170-1.113; p = 0.083). Relationship satisfaction and jealousy predicted IPV. Although IPV did not predict depression, poor relationship satisfaction increased the odds of depression, implicating the influence of relationship satisfaction on both IPV and depression.

Building a New Intimate Relationship After Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in Victim-Survivors of South Korea

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to harmful acts occurring among members of an intimate relationship. Many studies have explored individuals' experiences of IPV as well as its consequences; however, so far, few studies have explored the lives of IPV victim-survivors after escaping from the violent relationship and the experiences of building new intimate relationships. Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand the young female adults' experience of building a new intimate relationship after ending their abusive relationship. This study used a qualitative phenomenological design to understand the women's lived experiences in their own voices, as suggested by Giorgi. In total, 13 young female adults in South Korea were recruited and interviewed. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Drawing on the interview data, we constructed the structure of their experiences through identifying five themes: (I) having difficulty in meeting new people, (II) starting to build a new relationship based on trauma, (III) struggling to escape the boundaries of the abuser, (IV) learning about healthy intimate relationships, and (V) something's wrong again. The findings were meaningful in that they showed how victim-survivors clearly needed care and support even after they escaped from their abusive relationships and began new ones. In addition, we found that some of them entered into another abusive relationship with their new partners. Finally, this study informs researchers and health professionals across the world about the experiences of IPV victims within specific cultural background. We hope that the findings of this study will contribute to building various interventions and programs for victim-survivors of IPV.

Who Are the Victims and Who Are the Perpetrators in Dating Violence? Sharing the Role of Victim and Perpetrator

BACKGROUND

Dating violence (DV) is a serious problem with devastating consequences. Often, research on DV has focused on two distinct groups: victims and perpetrators. However, there is growing evidence for a victim-perpetrator overlap model, which posits that those involved in DV are more likely to take on both roles, rather than either role on its own.

PURPOSE

We investigated the patterns of involvement in DV among those who identified themselves as victims or perpetrators in previous studies.

METHOD

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 371 variables related to participants' previous and concurrent experiences of DV victimization or perpetration (202 variables related to victimization and 169 related to perpetration) were identified in 25 studies, which were found by systematically searching three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS.

RESULTS

The majority of previous studies categorized study participants as either DV victims or perpetrators; however, those who identified themselves as either DV victims or DV perpetrators were more likely to assume the opposite role as well. Specifically, current DV perpetrators had a strong association with previous or concurrent victimization experiences, and current DV victims were similarly likely to have assumed the roles of both victim and perpetrator in their histories.

CONCLUSION

Further efforts should be put into avoiding categorization of those involved in violence; rather, they should be regarded as a single group. Additionally, evidence-based interventions should be developed for this population to help break the cycle of violence.

Factors contributing to intentional injuries in Iranian university students

Background Intentional injuries refer to injuries resulting from purposeful human action, whether directed at oneself or others. This study was performed to assess intentional injuries in Iranian university students. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out with 430 female and male university in three higher education institutions located in the northern part of Iran in the year 2015. Samples were chosen through the stratified cluster random sampling method. They were requested to fill out the demographic data form and the Persian version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis via the SPSS v.13 software. Findings Intentional injuries were more frequent in the male university students than female (p < 0.05). Also, 9.1% and 6.7% of the university students were physically injured or sexually assaulted by a boy/girl friend. No statistically significant difference was reported in dating violence between the male and female university students. The logistic regression test showed that the history of stealing money from parents without their permission, son's preferences in the family and gender are the most important predisposing factors for the university students' intentional injury. Conclusion It is suggested that health policy makers consider the role of family in programs that have been designed for improving the health of young people.