The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Women with Depression and Conversion Disorder: A Case-Control Study in an Indoor Psychiatric Facility

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) represents a significant public health challenge, particularly among women, and is known to adversely affect mental health, leading to conditions such as depression, conversion disorder, and other psychiatric comorbidities. Despite increasing awareness, the specific impact of IPV within psychiatric populations remains under-researched, particularly concerning the prevalence and severity of psychiatric disorders among IPV survivors seeking psychiatric care. Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of IPV among women with psychiatric conditions, particularly depression and conversion disorder, in a psychiatric setting, and to examine the association between IPV exposure and the severity of psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Khyber Teaching Hospital, from June 16, 2022, to June 15, 2023. The study included 125 female patients, divided into 65 in the case group (exposed to IPV) and 60 in the control group (not exposed to IPV). Inclusion criteria were DSM-5 diagnosed depression or conversion disorder in women aged 18 years and above. Exclusion criteria included acute psychotic symptoms, significant cognitive impairment, and inability to provide informed consent. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, standardized evaluations, and medical record reviews. IPV exposure, psychiatric diagnoses, and the severity of psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment were assessed using standardized measures like the MINI, BDI, and PHQ-15. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The prevalence of IPV exposure in the case group was 76.9%, significantly higher than global estimates. Depression was observed in 84.6% of the case group and 66.7% of the control group, while conversion disorder was reported in 46.2% of the case group compared to 25.0% in the control group. Comorbid conditions such as anxiety disorders (38.5%), PTSD (30.8%), and substance use (15.4%) were more prevalent in the case group. The case group also showed higher scores in the Beck Depression Inventory (28.6 ± 5.3), Global Assessment of Functioning (45.2 ± 8.7), and PHQ-15 (18.7 ± 3.9), indicating more severe symptoms and functional impairment. Conclusion: The study highlighted a high prevalence of IPV among women with depression and conversion disorder in a psychiatric setting, associated with greater severity of psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment. These findings underscore the need for IPV screening and specialized interventions for IPV survivors in psychiatric care.