Intimate Partner Violence, Psychological Distress, and Internalized Misogyny: Profiling Patterns of Attitudes and Experience Among Ghanaian Women

This study explored the relations between attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV), experiences of IPV, and psychological distress among Ghanaian women. Using data from the 2018–2019 Wave 3 Ghana Socioeconomic Panel Survey (N = 3,283), three distinct latent classes based on IPV attitudes and experiences were identified. These classes reflected a spectrum of views ranging from rejection of IPV to acceptance or justification of violent behavior, each associated with varying levels of IPV exposure. Notably, women with permissive attitudes toward IPV reported fewer experiences of violence, while those with more moderate or justifying views faced higher rates of emotional and psychological abuse. Sociodemographic factors such as age, education, and employment significantly shaped both IPV attitudes and experiences. Regression analysis indicated a significant association between IPV experiences and psychological distress, with women exposed to higher levels of violence reporting the most severe distress. The study’s findings underscore the need for interventions that address both attitudinal and experiential dimensions of IPV, particularly amid shifting gender norms. It also highlights the importance of integrating mental health support into IPV-related interventions. Study limitations and directions for future research on gendered power dynamics in IPV are discussed.