Patterns of coping with partner violence: experiences of refugee women in Jordan

The relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and women's use of negative and positive coping strategies was investigated.

For this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 300 refugee women was recruited from health care centers in three cities in Jordan. Logistic regression adjusted to women's demographic characteristics was used.

The study's results revealed that, compared to non victims, victimized women showed a lower tendency to receive psychological support from the family (adjusted OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.29-0.96), to smoke (adjusted OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.09-0.82), to use tranquilizers (adjusted OR = 0.014, 95% CI = 0.00-0.86), to think of suicide (adjusted OR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.009-0.15), and to attempt suicidal actions (adjusted OR = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.002-0.19).

The study indicated that women's lack of use of negative coping strategies (smoking, use of tranquilizers, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal actions) was promising. However, the lack of use of positive coping strategies (disclosure of abuse, psychological support from friends, and help from family/friends) was somewhat concerning. The role of health care professionals may be helpful in this context. Counseling and support to IPV victims via effective listening, nonjudgmental discussions, and provision of information can be offered by health professionals as part of the treatment in health care centers.