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Anxiety

Anxiety Disorders in Bangladesh: Marital Control and Domestic Violence Hold Key

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at BRAC University have identified the correlation between marital control, domestic violence, and anxiety disorders among married women in Bangladesh. A study published in the journal BMC Psychiatry revealed that 26.9% of married women experience mild-to-severe anxiety, and 29.2% experience mild-to-severe depression. The study highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions addressing familial pressures and gender-based violence. Key statistics show that justified domestic violence is significantly associated with higher odds of moderate to severe anxiety and depression.

Key Takeaways:

  • 26.9% of married women in Bangladesh experience mild-to-severe anxiety, and 29.2% experience mild-to-severe depression.
  • Justified domestic violence is a significant predictor of moderate to severe anxiety and depression among married women.
  • The study found that women who believed wife-beating was acceptable in situations such as going out without informing the husband were more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
  • The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive interventions addressing familial pressures and gender-based violence.
  • The research suggests that women who experienced domestic violence were more likely to develop anxiety and depression.
  • The study employs a quantitative approach using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scales to assess anxiety and depression.
  • The study concludes that there is a need for longitudinal designs to explore causal pathways and incorporate additional determinants, such as social support and coping mechanisms.

Statistics:

  • 26.9% of married women experience mild-to-severe anxiety.
  • 29.2% of married women experience mild-to-severe depression.
  • 4.5% of married women report moderate-to-severe anxiety.
  • 1.3% of married women report moderate-to-severe depression.
  • The study found a significant association between justified domestic violence and anxious and depressive symptoms (p < 0.01).

Sources:

  • Marital control, domestic violence justification, and mental health: a study of married women in Bangladesh. BMC Psychiatry, 2025,25(1):1-18.
  • (BMC Psychiatry - http://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com)
  • The publisher for BMC Psychiatry is BMC.
  • A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07133-3.

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