The Women’s Perception on the Effects of Intimate Partner Violance on Women’s Psychological Wellbeing: A Case of Iringa Municipality

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to examine the women perception on effects of Intimate Partner violence on women’s psychological wellbeing and  Specific objectives was To explore the women’s perception on effect of physical Intimate Partner violence on women’s psychological wellbeing, To examine women’s perception on the effect of sexual Intimate Partner Violence on women’s psychological wellbeing and To determine the  women’s perception on the effect of psychological Intimate Partner Violence on women’s psychological wellbeing. This study conducted at Kihesa ward, Makorongoni ward and Ruaha ward in Iringa Municipal. Using the mixed research design this study employed Convenience research to collect primary data from 361 women respondents in the study areas and adopted purposive sampling technique to collect data from three key informant. Questionnaires were used as research instrument to collect quantitative data. Quantitative data were presented in tables, frequencies and percentages then analyzed descriptively. Findings revealed that 74.2% of female agreed about the presence of violence in Iringa Municipal while 25.8% disagreed. On view of physical effects about 42.4% of women agreed that mental illness to the maximum, 44.9% of women confirmed that among the effects was chronic stress to women which affected mostly women at family level. The last physical effects were women being depressed by 12.7%. Furthermore, among the sexual effects, about 45.2% of women were affected through mental illness while 24.4% were affected through chronic stress. Likewise, 15.3% of women confirmed that among the effects were depression and 15.2% of women were affected through isolating themselves. Through psychological effect, about 37.7 % of women affected through mental illness, 29.3% of women affected through chronic stress, 27.5% of women affected through mental illness and 5.5% of women affected through isolation. This study concludes that in Iringa Municipal Council there is effects of physical, sexual and psychological IPV violence which affects women’s psychological wellbeing. The existing literature overwhelmingly confirms that intimate partner violence takes a severe toll on women's psychological wellbeing. It manifests as a range of psychological challenges, including trauma-related symptoms, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Recognizing the complexity of IPV's impact and the unique experiences of survivors is essential for providing effective support and interventions.