Examining Mediators of Intimate Partner Violence and Depressive Symptoms among Thai Women with Gynecological Problems

Although associations among intimate partner violence, stress, social support, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms are well documented, the mechanism of these links has not been fully explored. This study is part of a larger research project that investigated intimate partner violence, health consequences, and coping patterns among 532 Thai women with gynecological problems. The aim of this study was to examine the potential mediators (e.g., stress, social support, and self-esteem) of the relationship between intimate partner violence and depressive symptoms by using a structural equation modeling approach. Data were collected from self-reported questionnaires, including the: Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Abuse Assessment Screen, Index of Spouse Abuse, Stress Test, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results revealed that 21.1% of participants experienced intimate partner violence within the previous year and 17.1% had depressive symptoms. Intimate partner violence was significantly positively correlated with stress and depressive symptoms but negatively correlated with social support and self-esteem. Intimate partner violence exhibited indirect effect on depressive symptoms through stress, social support, and self-esteem. The model fitted the empirical data and accounted for 92% of the variance of depressive symptoms. Therefore, intervention programs that include the role of these factors may be effective in preventing depressive symptoms among abused Thai women with gynecological problems.