ABSTRACT Background: In many developing countries, women’s mental health is severely compromised due to the prevalence of various social evils, including domestic violence. India exemplifies this troubling trend, which has garnered attention from researchers and international organizations. Materials and Methods: This study conducted a thorough literature review across various electronic databases. A range of keywords related to social work interventions and the mental health of victims of domestic violence were used to encompass diverse studies and viewpoints. Results and Discussion: Results of this review emphasize that domestic violence manifests in numerous ways, including physical, psychological, sexual, intellectual and emotional abuse, involving systematic abuse of authority as well as insidious behavior, significantly impacting women’s physical and mental health. Common mental health issues identified among victims include anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress-related disorders. Factors contributing to domestic violence are multifaceted, including perpetrator traits, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural acceptance of violence as conflict resolution. Some of these factors include anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, unhealthy lifestyles, acute stress and PTSD, psychotic disorder, and substance abuse. The findings of the study reveal that crisis intervention, counseling, and psychotherapy are some of the major interventions by social workers. Conclusion: While numerous organizations are actively working to address domestic violence and its effects on women’s mental health, there is a pressing need for early psychosocial interventions at individual, familial, and societal levels, especially in women exhibiting psychological distress or unexplained medical symptoms.
Shetty et al. (Fri,) studied this question.