Evaluating the psychosocial and mental health consequences of abuse among Jordanian women.

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study evaluated the mental health consequences of abuse among Jordanian women. Standard tools were used to collect data from 93 abused women seeking help at a welfare centre in relation to forms of abuse, depression, coping, suicidal ideation, substance use, social support and self-efficacy. The most commonly reported form of abuse was psychological abuse. Applying the Beck Depression Inventory showed that 38.7% of the abused women had moderate to severe levels of depression. Although half the women had a low level of perceived social support, abused Jordanian women reported moderate to very high levels of self-efficacy and used approach coping more frequently than avoidance coping strategies. Using the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation, 15.7% of the women reported that the desire for death was stronger than the desire for life. Abused women in Jordan face mental health and psychosocial risks that could compromise their quality of life.