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The Association Between Mental Health Literacy and Social Anxiety with Sociodemographic Characteristics Among Women Affected by Domestic Violence
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Younes Hosseini   , Jamileh Mohtashami * , Soulmaz Roshandel |
| Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University , j_mohtashami@sbmu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (25 Views) |
Introduction: Women affected by domestic violence are at increased risk of developing various psychological issues, including social anxiety. Mental health literacy is recognized as a personal capacity to identify, prevent, and manage mental health problems. This study aimed to examine the relationship between mental health literacy and social anxiety with demographic characteristics among women affected by domestic violence.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on convenience sample of 138 women who referred to the central forensic medicine center of Tehran. Participants completed demographic questionnaire, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (O’Connor & Casey, 2015) and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire (Jarabek, 1996). This study was conducted during the winter and spring of 2024. Data were analysed using SPSS and Spearman’s test.
Results: Most participants (91.3%) were married, and half of them were unemployed and without income. The mean mental health literacy score was within the moderate-to-low range, while the mean social anxiety score fell within the moderate-to-high range. The results indicated that higher mental health literacy was associated with lower social anxiety (r = 0.563, p < 0.01). Mental health literacy was also positively correlated with education (r = 0.366, p < 0.01) and income (r = 0.194, p < 0.05). Employment status showed a significant relationship with both main variables, such that employed women had higher mental health literacy and lower social anxiety. Additionally, women with higher levels of education reported lower social anxiety (r = 0.278, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Higher education, employment, and income act as protective factors, being associated with greater mental health literacy and reduced social anxiety. Intervention programs should focus on socio-economic empowerment and mental health education for this vulnerable population to help prevent domestic violence and mitigate its psychological consequences. |
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| Keywords: Mental health literacy, social anxiety, demographic factors, domestic violence, women |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/08/31 | Accepted: 2026/01/30 | Published: 2026/01/30 | ePublished: 2026/01/30
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