Intimate Partner Violence and Depression among Women in Low-Income Areas in Selected Rescue Centres in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Intimate partner violence represented a significant public health challenge globally, with particularly devastating effects on women's mental health in low-income settings. This study examined the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression among women in low-income areas of selected rescue centres in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The research aimed to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence, assess levels of depression, analyse the relationship between IPV and depression, and identify coping strategies employed by women survivors. The study was grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Ecological Systems Theory, and Stress-Coping Theory frameworks, which provided comprehensive understanding of how violence exposure influenced mental health outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, targeting women aged 18 years and above residing in rescue centers within Nairobi County. Using purposive sampling, 93 participants were recruited from selected rescue centers serving low-income populations. Data were collected using structured questionnaires incorporating the HARK screening tool for intimate partner violence and the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) for depression assessment. Additional instruments captured demographic information, coping strategies, and access to mental health services. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and chi-square tests through SPSS, while qualitative responses underwent thematic content analysis. Findings revealed high prevalence of intimate partner violence among participants, with emotional abuse being most common, followed by physical and sexual violence. Depression levels were significantly elevated, with over half of participants scoring in moderate to severe ranges on the PHQ-8. A strong positive correlation was established between intimate partner violence exposure and depression severity (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Women employed diverse coping strategies, including both adaptive mechanisms such as religious coping and social support, and maladaptive approaches including denial and self-blame. Access to professional mental health services remained severely limited, with only 29% of participants reporting availability. The study concluded that intimate partner violence significantly contributed to depression among women in rescue centers, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated interventions addressing both violence prevention and mental health treatment in Nairobi's low-income communities.