Abstract:
Studies on the social support of women survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Kenyan society are minimal. This research presented and identified some mental health outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence, that is, depression and PTSD, and how they are affected by social support. Using a sample size of 193 participants from Kayole, this research explored the effectiveness of social support to the female survivors of IPV. The female survivors, 18 to 60 years, were either in the intimate relationship or had even left the relationship. With a correlational design, applying quantitative research data collection method, the data was enumerated. The Hurt Insult Threaten and Scream (HITS) screen was used to screen participants for IPV and all the respondents were either experiencing one or the other form of IPV. The result also showed that high percentage of the respondents had either depression 86 (44.6%) or PTSD 114 (59.1%) or both ranging from moderate to severe symptoms. The BDI, PCL-5 and HITS scores were positively correlated indicating that increase in HITS (IPV) scores were significantly related to increase in both PTSD and depressive symptoms. Participants with severe IPV incidences showed severe PTSD and depressive disorders, which are presented as comorbid disorders. The result also showed that those with higher scores in BDI, PCL-5 and HITS, have poorer social support system. This study also showed that there is a significant strong positive association among the different forms of social support. Poor social support implies high scores in IPV, BDI and PCL-5. Therefore, social support could be highly be explored in the treatment plan of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) emanating from IPV. It could be concluded therefore that in order to improve the depressive and traumatic state, one must improve the social support system.
