Childhood Domestic Violence as an Ancestor for Adulthood Mental Health Problems: Experiences of Jordanian Women

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the relationship between women’s history of experiencing different types of abuse during childhood and development of mental health problems in adulthood. A convenience sample of 409 women recruited from health care centers in Jordan provided data for the study. One-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance was implemented. Results indicated absence of statistically significant differences in mental health problems between physically abused and sexually abused women compared to their counterparts. Further, a statistically significant difference in mental health was found between women who experienced emotional abuse and childhood neglect compared to their counterparts (Wilks’ lambda for emotional abuse = .914, p < .0001; Wilks’ lambda for childhood neglect = .83, p < .0001). Between-groups comparisons using Bonferroni adjustment indicated that all dependent variables (depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem) differed significantly between emotionally and nonemotionally abused women and between neglected and nonneglected women. It was concluded that not all childhood abuse experiences lead to long-term impacts on women’s mental health. However, mental health consequences of childhood abuse may alter women’s obligations toward family, children, and home. Therefore, efforts directed toward assessing women’s history of childhood abuse are very important especially for those who are starting a marital relationship.