Abstract:
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a worldwide human rights violation and a preventable public
health concern. It affects males and females globally and has been linked to adverse health
sequela, including depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Literature shows that developing
countries are the worst affected by IPV. This mixed-methods study aimed to identify levels of
depression and associated demographic risk factors among male and female survivors of IPV
seeking services at a Gender Violence and Recovery Centre (GVRC) in Nyeri County, Kenya.
Study Questionnaires were distributed to 117 respondents, with an additional 30 reached through
focus group discussions from May 2019-October 2019. Ten items derived from a shortened
version of The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D scale) were used to
assess current depression amongst IPV survivors. The study found that more than half of the
respondents (59%) reported severe depression, 34.2% indicated moderate depression, and 6.8%
reported mild depression.
This study adds to the growing literature on IPV and mental well-being. Regarding demographic
risk factors, there was a significant association between gender and level of depression, χ
(2,
N=117) = 1.038, p= .023), occupation status, χ
2
(6, N=117) = 11.25, p= .03) and presence of a
previous partner, χ
2
(2, N=117) = 2.72, p= 0.041). Screening for depression and allied risk
factors among male and female IPV survivors would be considered a vital intervention
component and management tailored toward treatment therapies that help the survivors identify
and change negative thought patterns and allied behaviors.
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