%0 Journal Article
%T Domestic violence and its mental health correlates in Indian women
%J British journal of psychiatry
%D 2005
%A Kumar, Santosh
%A Jeyaseelan, Lakshman
%A Suresh, Subashini
%A Ahuja, Ramesh C.
%V 187
%N 
%P 62-67
%X BACKGROUND: Domestic spousal violence against women has far-reaching mental health implications. AIMS: To determine the association of domestic spousal violence with poor mental health. METHOD: In a household survey of rural, urban non-slum and urban slum areas from seven sites in India, the population of women aged15-49 years was sampled using probability proportionate to size. The Self Report Questionnaire was used to assess mental health status and a structured questionnaire elicited spousal experiences of violence. RESULTS: Of 9938 women surveyed, 40% reported poor mental health. Logistic regression showed that women reporting ;any violence' - ;slap', ;hit', ;kick' or ;beat' (OR 2.2, 95% CI 2.0-2.5) - or ;all violence' - all of the four types of physically violent behaviour (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.94-3.51) - were at increased risk of poor mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate a strong association between domestic spousal violence and poor mental health, and underscore the need for appropriate interventions.
%G 
%I Royal College of Psychiatry
%@ 0007-1250
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.187.1.62