Mediating Roles of Intimate Partner Violence, Stress, and Social Support on Depressive Symptoms Among Thai Women

Prior research has shown that intimate partner violence (IPV), stress, and social support are associated with depressive symptoms. However, a possible mediating role of these variables linking depressive symptoms has not been fully investigated in Thailand. This study was conducted to assess the mediating roles of IPV, stress, and social support in the relationships between childhood abuse (CA), number of sexual partners (NSP), and depressive symptoms among 400 Thai women attending gynecology clinics. Results indicated that IPV was significantly positively correlated with stress and depressive symptoms but negatively correlated with social support. CA and NSP were significantly positively correlated with IPV, stress, and depressive symptoms, but negatively correlated with social support. Structural equation models (SEMs) showed that not only did IPV severity exhibit significantly indirect effect on depressive symptoms (β = .178; p < .05), but it also had a significant, positive total effect on depressive symptoms (β = .252; p < .05). In particular, IPV severity had the fully mediating effect on depressive symptoms through social support (β = -.204; p < .05) and stress (β = .158; p < .05). CA severity and NSP exhibited the significant indirect effect on depressive symptoms through IPV severity, stress, and social support. All the models analyzed showed that stress had an important mediator role (β = .583; p < .05) on depressive symptoms. The model fitted very well to the empirical data and explained 53% of variance. Findings affirmed the important role of these mediators as well as the need to design interventions for reducing stress or increasing support for women experiencing IPV. Utilizing an empowerment approach among female outpatients to decrease stress and depressive symptoms is recommended.