Depression among female survivors of domestic violence in thohoyandou,South Africa.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate depression among female survivors of domestic violence. 112 female survivors of domestic violence who came to a trauma centre in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province to seek help were selected as participants in the study. The participants‟ ages ranged from 15 to 65 years. The questionnaire used has items on demographic variables of the participants such as age, marital status, level of education, employment status, number of years married, number of children and also items on depression. A topic guide was also used to interview the participants on depressive symptoms. A significant number of the physically abused women were suffering from depression (z=2.8434, p<0.05) compared to the general population. This study provides data that can be used to motivate the implementation of intervention programmes to address domestic violence against women. Such programmes should include the implementation of cost-effective intervention aimed at reducing the depression caused by domestic violence on women.

Key words: Depression, female survivors of domestic violence, South Africa.