Assessing the Needs of Victim Women of Domestic Violence Based on the Type and Causes of Violence: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Domestic violence is a common phenomenon which strongly affects women's mental health. The promotion of women's health among victims of domestic violence has been considered in health care systems. Comprehensive health promotion programs are possible when qualitative and quantitative methods are used in studies on health promotion. The current research purposes to describe the needs of female victims of domestic violence through content analysis to design health promotion programs. Methods: In this qualitative content analysis, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants, 18 women who were victims of domestic violence, 4 health workers, and 3 counseling psychologists. Types and causes of domestic violence were investigated to explore needs through content analysis Result: From different type of domestic violence such as physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic violence, different needs were derived, such as emergency medical and social care, counseling and couples therapy, and communication skills. Causes of domestic violence include the sub-categories of addiction; inappropriate choice of spouse and marriage age; lack of responsibility, commitment, and communication skills in common life; defect in the law; cultural factors; personality disorder of the spouse; the role of couple's families; and economic poverty. From these sub-categories, the following subjects were identified as areas in which training and counseling are needed: support resources for an addict's spouse, responsibilities and roles of common life, communication skills, spouse selection skills, individual counseling for personality and mental disorders, and legal-cultural reform Conclusion: Health promotion programs should be designed based on the needs of female victims of domestic abuse. Health systems should respond to the need for screening victims and determining the type of violence, considering physical symptoms, screening for spouse addiction, the need for education and sexual relationship counseling, communication skills for common life and mate selection, responsibility and commitment, and identifying mental and personality disorders.