Domestic Violence: Socioeconomic and Psychological Factors

This article discusses the prevalence of domestic violence globally and its effects on victims' socioeconomic and psychological well-being. It explores the various forms of domestic violence and the demographics most affected by it. The article also delves into the socioeconomic and psychological factors that influence the incidence of domestic violence, including financial dependence, violence normalization, and self-blame. Additionally, it examines the psychological development of victims and secondary victims, such as children, and the factors that contribute to domestic violence, such as social views, religion, and HIV/AIDS.

Domestic Violence is a global issue that negatively impacts mental health and well
being
Discussion on how socioeconomic and psychological factors influence the
incidence of domestic violence
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Domestic Violence
Introduction
Domestic violence is violent, intimidating and abusive relationship behavior. There are
various forms of domestic violence. It normally occurs in a domestic setting which can
include marriage or cohabitation of two individuals who are either spouses or intimate.
Furthermore, domestic violence can occur among heterosexuals. Violence against children
parents or among older persons depicts domestic violence. They take various forms which
include physical, verbal, emotional, economic, psychosocial, verbal, religious and sexual
abuse.
The global perspective on domestic violence is majorly among women whom they tend
to experience more severe forms, (Gracia-Moreno, Claudia Stockl & Heidi, 2013). They have
more chance than men to use intimate partner violence for self-defense. Studies undertaken
have shown that there is an existence of gender equality and domestic violence rates, (Strong
& Cohen, 2010). It is among the greatest forms of crimes which are under-reported among
men and women. Men have a higher chance of being ignored in this vice as it is attributed to
social stigma.
The underpinnings of domestic violence depict that the abuser has the belief that it is a
right, acceptance, and entitlement to offer discipline which forms an intergenerational abuse
cycle among the victims and their dependence. Contrary many people don’t see themselves as
abusers, as they regard to this acts as family conflicts which have gone overboard.
Demographics status of the vice
Domestic violence has been shown to be prevalent globally and has effects across
various people of all economic levels. However, increased cases have been shown to be more
prevalent among persons of lower social economic status. Studies have shown that much
gender-based violence occurring on female to male are based on self-defense. A systematic
review undertaken in 2012, showed that intimate partner violence perpetration was due to
anger, self-defense and revenge were common causes, (Bair-Merritt et al, 2010). Women
often have severe consequences due to gender-based violence. A review undertaken in 2012
showed that 70% of the female victims had frightening experiences and remembrances.
Among the adolescents, the heterosexuals are majorly affected by domestic violence.
Trends are similar for boys and girls who report such incidences. With these females are less
likely to use harmful forms of retaliation on the other hand males majorly use sexual
aggregations. Children, on the other hand, have shown to come into play in domestic
violence. This is supported by the behavior pattern of domestic violence which increases the
severity and number of times of such incidences, (Caldwell, Swan & Woodbrown, 2012).
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Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is largely underreported among men than women, (Strong &
Cohen, 2013). Men tend to underreport perpetration incurred to them while women have the
tendency to underreport victimization done to them. (Chan, 2011). Further, financial
dependence, violence normalization, and self-blame were associated factors to self-reporting.
A study done in 2014 among European Union countries showed that 14% of women reported
serious domestic violence incidence, (Women U.N, 2015). Men, on the other hand, have been
shown to face gender-linked barriers associated with social stigmas and high probability of
the issue being overlooked by healthcare facilities.
Domestic violence and socio-economic factors
The social dimension of domestic violence has been shown to vary from one social
setting to another. This is due to the unequal view of the relationship between husband and
wife. In other countries, they have equal status, while in others wives have to submit to the
husband. This is exemplified in regulations of countries such as Yemen, where marriage rules
dictate that wives must obey their husbands, (Taylor et al, 2009).
These aspects have exemplified economic avenues in form of financial dependence,
where one partner can have control over the other partner’s economic resources. Marital
resources have been used as a form of domestic violence. Deprivation of economic benefits
abuses the victim’s ability and capacity to support their activities and themselves. This in turn
increase the depended on the perpetrator which in turn reduces access to other opportunities
such as education, career development and acquiring of assets, (Adams, 2011).
Socioeconomic deprivation has been observed whereby the victim is offered an
allowance where it offers there other partners close monitoring which prevents freedom of
independence, which might lead to debt accumulation, (Adams, 2011). Women dependence
on husbands has been shown to have far-reaching effects. In such relations, victims often fall
victim of malnutrition which affects both the women and children as in the case of India,
food denial and withholding has been attributed as a form of domestic violence abuse,
(Ackerson & Subramanian, 2008).
Exploratory studies undertaken in Pakistan society showed that 56% of the women
have faced psychological violence which is linked to economic dependence, (Azhar, Soahil,
Yasin, Mahmood & Mushtag, 2012). Domestic violence against women has been shown to
have an effect on the economic ability with long-term effects on the next generation being
depicted, (Philips & Vandenbroek, 2014). Severe impacts of domestic violence have been
shown to be higher with regard to women financial security for long-term and short effects on
transport, child support, bills and future debts effects, (Philips & Vandenbroek, 2014).
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Domestic Violence
A study on social income showed that women with an income of 7500 dollars or less
have five more times likely to face domestic violence compared to those who receive an
income of more than 50,000 dollars and above. This could be linked to women low social
economic status due to the disadvantage of poverty, unemployment and marital state, (ABS,
2013).
Based on the National Council to reduce violence against women and children, the
economic and social costs of violence from the Australian economy against women in the
year 2009 stood at $13.6 billion. This figure is quite high, this is widely viewed that victim
socioeconomic level has an increased level of domestic violence prevalence.
Domestic violence and psychological development
Domestic violence has been linked to factors leading to genetic makeup and brain
functionality. Theorist focussing on personality has focussed on personality traits and
characteristics of the offenders. Personality traits linked to this include, anger bursts, low
impulse coordination, low self-esteem.
Studies have linked high levels of psychopathology among the offenders. The
estimation of personality disorders the overall population have shown to b between a range of
10%-20%, as violence advances, psychopathology increase more to about 100%.
Psychological profiles of the offenders have been that they posse’s borderline personalities
which are developed early in the life hood events, (Harold & Leve, 2018).
Domestic violence exposure to young adulthood exposes secondary victims to immense
torture. At prenatal development, effects of domestic violence can be felt as early as during
pregnancy period as the fetus in the womb. Mothers exposed to domestic violence often give
birth to low birth weight, increasing bleeding premature birth, fetal death, and increased
emotional stress. Further children given birth with stressful periods, is often born with stress
and anxiety which portends to other problems later in the adulthood.
Infants often experience domestic violence when they fall victims at the homes when
caught at this crossfires. They often probably suffer from physical and verbal abuse. At times
they face emotional and physical attachment to the mother which leaders to delays and effects
on developmental delays and increased diarrhea.
Older children can have devastating effects on physical aspect f domestic violence.
They face trauma and witness domestic violence at their homes which is a factor in their
developmental stage ad physical status. These children will portray symptoms of emotional
and behavioural stress which is occasioned by parental withdrawal, exhibiting regressive
behaviours. Further anxiety issues later emerge from physical anxiety among children who
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Domestic Violence
witness domestic violence at their homes.
Emotional effects on psychological development
Exposure of children to violence at their homes has been shown to exhibit mixed
feelings towards their parents. Some of the common factors include destruction and affection
which is evident from the abuser. They exhibit overprotective behaviour. The psychological
development of these children often exhibits intense fear and anxiety.
Depression occurrence among the children has been highly noted. Children often feel
powerless and lack of hope for futures. Gender disparities have been shown to occur more to
girls than boys as they internalize the emotions faster and show off. A witness of the
domestic violence among children have been shown to have more effects in that the children
believe that nothing is safe leading to low self-esteem and depression.
Anger observations have been noted among children, with actions being linked to anger
and more aggressive behaviour than other children. Children display every action with anger
act, (Stannard, 2009). Thus domestic violence has increased effects on the children.
Further children can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders which results from this
vice. Characterised symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, increased level of alertness, and low
concentration levels, (Stanley et al., 2012).
Influencers and factors of domestic violence
The social views have often been a factor in domestic violence. Variations occur based
on persons, racial and regions. Research done by Violence against women in Families and
relationships Group has shown that wife beating is observed to be justified in certain settings
while in others it is forbidden.
Religion has been a controversial subject with regard to domestic violence. Based on
Domestic Violence Cross-Cultural Perspective group, there is no religion which has
advocated for violence against women, however, religious scriptures are taken out of context.
Local customs and social traditions have been seen as maintaining the form of gender-
based violence. These customs include the desire of having child gender, whether girl or boy,
which often leads to neglect of the undesired gender. However, in the recent decade, there
have been measures to address such challenges with laws being enacted to protect the
engaged category of persons.
HIV /AIDS has been shown to be increased in domestic violence state. According to
world health organizations, women in violence-prone relationships have increased risks of
acquiring HIV/AIDS, with having a difficult time engaging in safer sex. A crossectional
study undertaken in South Africa, Rwanda and Tanzania showed that women having gender-
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based violence are at an increased level to be infected with HIV.
Conclusion
Thus, in conclusion, it is evident that domestic violence is a global phenomenon with
critical underlying effects on socioeconomic and psychological well being of the victims and
their immediate. There is a need for prevention strategies and mitigation measures to reduce
domestic violence. Need for a collaborative approach to legislation touching all countries to
be implementing. Women who are prone to this violence need to be empowered and
enlighten on their rights. Further, there is a need for promotion of respectful relationships
which are non-violent in the individual, community and social set up.
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