TY - JOUR
T1 - Violence Against Widows in Nepal
T2 - Experiences, Coping Behaviors, and Barriers in Seeking Help
AU - Sabri, Bushra
AU - Sabarwal, Shrutika
AU - Decker, Michele R.
AU - Shrestha, Abina
AU - Sharma, Kunda
AU - Thapa, Lily
AU - Surkan, Pamela J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, © The Author(s) 2015.
PY - 2015/5
Y1 - 2015/5
N2 - Widows are a vulnerable population in Nepal. This study examined Nepalese widows’ experiences of violence, their coping strategies, and barriers faced in seeking help. Study participants were recruited from Women for Human Rights, an NGO in Nepal. A stratified purposive sampling approach was used to select 51 widows and 5 staff members for in-depth interviews. Twenty-seven women who experienced violence were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed and synthesized using a thematic analysis procedure. Widows reported a range of violent experiences perpetrated by family and community members that spanned psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Women dealt with abusive experiences using both adaptive (e.g., attempting to move ahead, seeking social support, using verbal confrontation) and maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., suicidal thoughts or self-medication). However, they faced barriers to seeking help such as insensitivity of the police, perceived discrimination, and general lack of awareness of widows’ problems and needs. Findings highlight the need for interventions across the individual, family, community, and policy levels. Avenues for intervention include creating awareness about widows’ issues and addressing cultural beliefs affecting widows’ lives. Furthermore, efforts should focus on empowering widows, promoting healthy coping, and addressing their individual needs.
AB - Widows are a vulnerable population in Nepal. This study examined Nepalese widows’ experiences of violence, their coping strategies, and barriers faced in seeking help. Study participants were recruited from Women for Human Rights, an NGO in Nepal. A stratified purposive sampling approach was used to select 51 widows and 5 staff members for in-depth interviews. Twenty-seven women who experienced violence were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed and synthesized using a thematic analysis procedure. Widows reported a range of violent experiences perpetrated by family and community members that spanned psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Women dealt with abusive experiences using both adaptive (e.g., attempting to move ahead, seeking social support, using verbal confrontation) and maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., suicidal thoughts or self-medication). However, they faced barriers to seeking help such as insensitivity of the police, perceived discrimination, and general lack of awareness of widows’ problems and needs. Findings highlight the need for interventions across the individual, family, community, and policy levels. Avenues for intervention include creating awareness about widows’ issues and addressing cultural beliefs affecting widows’ lives. Furthermore, efforts should focus on empowering widows, promoting healthy coping, and addressing their individual needs.
KW - Nepal
KW - barriers
KW - coping
KW - help-seeking
KW - violence
KW - widows
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84963624319&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1177/0886260515569058
DO - 10.1177/0886260515569058
M3 - Article
C2 - 25657102
AN - SCOPUS:84963624319
SN - 0886-2605
VL - 31
SP - 1744
EP - 1766
JO - Journal of Interpersonal Violence
JF - Journal of Interpersonal Violence
IS - 9
ER -