TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Relationship between violence against women, social support, self-esteem, and mental health in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia JO - Journal of interpersonal violence A1 - Alquaiz, Aljohara M. A1 - Kazi, Ambreen A1 - Almeneessier, Aljohara A1 - Alhalal, Eman A1 - Almuneef, Maha A1 - AlHabib, Yara SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - The objectives of this study were to measure the prevalence of mental distress and to explore the relationship between violence against women (VAW), social support, self-esteem, and mental distress in women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire-guided, cross-sectional, interview-based study was conducted with 1,932 women, in primary healthcare centers. Around 29% reported moderate to severe distress levels, whereas 40% of women reported lifetime exposure to at least one type of violence. Linear regression analysis found that VAW was positively associated with mental distress with a unit increase associated with a 0.13 (0.58, 1.15) increase in distress level, whereas, for both social support and self-esteem, a unit increase in violence was associated with -0.23 (-0.47, -0.32) and -0.22 (-0.49, -0.33) unit decrease in the mental distress. Structural equation modeling found that violence had direct significant negative effects on social support (β = -.156, p < .001) and self-esteem (β = -.135, p < .001). Both social support (β = -.266, p < .001) and self-esteem (β = -.183, p < .001) had direct significant negative effects on distress. VAW exerted a direct significant positive effect on distress (β = .171, p < .001) as well as an indirect effect (β = .068, p < .001). Both social support (β = .044, p < .001) and self-esteem (β = .025, p < .001) were significant mediators of the effect of violence on mental distress. VAW can lead to mental distress and low self-esteem. Identification, counseling, and social support for women are important to improve their self-confidence and reduce the adverse effects of violence.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0886-2605 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/08862605231197135 ID - ref1 ER -