Depressive Symptoms in Asian Indian Women: The Role of Intimate Partner Violence, Unfair Treatment, and Family Support

Background and Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and unfair treatment are prevalent in the lives of many women, especially women of color. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated dual challenges for Asian women. However, few studies have investigated the mental health impact of both forms of victimization together among Asian women. Asians are not a monolithic group as they have diverse cultures and values. Therefore, it is critical to disaggregate Asians to gather empirical data that can help build socioculturally responsive prevention efforts for IPV and mental health. This study examined relationships between depressive symptoms and the experience of IPV and unfair treatment among a sample of South Asian Indian Gujarati women. Given the important role of family among South Asians, we also explored the extent to which support from family is associated with depressive symptoms.

Methods: As part of a larger study, data were collected from a probability sample of Gujarati residents aged 18 to 65 years in a midwestern state via computer-assisted telephone interviews. This study analyzed data from a subsample of married women (N = 273). Past-week experience of depressive symptoms was measured using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. IPV victimization during the previous 6 months was assessed using a 14-item measure. The experience of eight types of unfair treatment during the previous 6 months was assessed using the Everyday Discrimination Scale. We measured three dimensions of support from family: number of family members residing nearby, frequency of contact, and satisfaction with support. We used negative binomial regression to explore the association between independent variables and depression, controlling for demographic variables. Also, interaction terms of IPV with family support measures were added to the fully adjusted model to explore whether any dimensions of family support moderated the adverse effects of IPV on depressive symptom scores. We tested similar interaction effects of unfair treatment with family support.

Results: One-third of married women reported having experienced IPV, and two-thirds received unfair treatment during the previous six months. We found that while both IPV and unfair treatment were positively associated with depressive symptoms, their interaction effect was not statistically significant. When IPV victimization and support from family were included in the model, the incidence rate ratio for unfair treatment became nonsignificant, but the significant effect of IPV remained. Frequencies of contact and satisfaction with support from family were associated with lower past-week depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: The prevalent experience of IPV and unfair treatment and their positive association with depressive symptoms among Gujarati women call for action. Findings suggest that practitioners not only in mental health and IPV programs but also in alternative settings frequented by Gujarati women should inquire about these types of interpersonal victimization and assist women in connecting with and cultivating supportive networks. More research on the mental health impact of IPV and other types of interpersonal victimization is needed for under-researched yet growing population groups to inform socioculturally responsive prevention and intervention programs.