Levels of Depression in Men and Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence at a Gender Violence Recovery Centre in Kenya

Teresa Waithira, Psy.D; Josephine Arasa, Ph.D; and Michael Kihara, Ph.D., United States International University, Africa

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, χ² (2, N=117) = 1.038, p= .023), occupation status, χ² (6, N=117) = 11.25, p= .03) and presence of a previous partner, χ² (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.

Keywords: IPV, Depression, male and female survivors of IPV, mixed methods, Gender Violence and Recovery Centre.