Kaul A, Saboor L, Ahmad A, Mannell J, Paphitis SA, Devakumar D. What are the experiences and psychosocial needs of female survivors of domestic violence in Afghanistan? A qualitative interview study in three Afghan provinces.
BMJ Open 2024;
14:e079615. [PMID:
38839389 PMCID:
PMC11163623 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079615]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to qualitatively explore (1) the experiences of female survivors of domestic abuse and mental health problems in Afghanistan; (2) how female survivors of violence and abuse, male members of the community and service providers perceive and respond to mental health and domestic violence in Afghanistan and (3) the provision of mental health services for female survivors of violence and abuse in Afghanistan, including the barriers and challenges faced around accessing mental health services.
DESIGN
Qualitative interviews and framework thematic analysis.
SETTING
Kabul, Bamyan and Nangarhar in Afghanistan.
PARTICIPANTS
60 female survivors of domestic abuse, 60 male community members and 30 service providers who work with female survivors of domestic abuse.
RESULTS
Experiences of multiple and compounding traumatic experiences of violence, armed conflict, and complex and competing psychosocial concerns were common among the female survivor participants. All female survivor participants reported experiencing negative mental health outcomes in relation to their experiences of violence and abuse, which were further precipitated by widespread social stigma and gender norms. Support and service provision for female survivors was deemed by participants to be insufficient in comparison to the amount of people who need to access them.
CONCLUSIONS
There are many risks and barriers women face to disclosing their experiences of violence and mental health problems which restrict women's access to psychological support. Culturally relevant services and trauma-informed interventions are necessary to respond to these issues. Service providers should be trained to effectively recognise and respond to survivors' mental health needs.
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