Violence against Pakistani women occurs at an alarming prevalence that reflects a significant risk to the health of women and families. Understanding violence against women in Pakistan comes with methodological and cultural complexities. Many of the studies examining prevalence and predictors of violence against women tend to utilize convenience samples contributing to the possibility of an inflated prevalence. Due to the patriarchal family structure and cultural context, domestic violence is normalized resulting in extremely low reporting rates. The present study utilizes a sample of ever-married Pakistani women collected across five provinces to shed light on the prevalence and predictors of women that experience domestic violence (emotional or physical abuse). Data were obtained from the 2012-2013 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey including a large sample of Pakistani women from five provinces (Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan). Binary Linear regressions were conducted to examine how intrinsic variables (age, education, region, urban/rural, type of marital relationship, and wealth) predicted experiencing emotional or physical abuse from one’s husband within the past year. Approximately, 20% of women endorsed experiencing physical violence and 28% endorsed experiencing emotional violence. Results found that educational level, wealth, and type of marital relationship were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing some form of physical or emotional violence. Implications from this study support policy interventions aimed at education within the family, linking women with resources, and continued investment in the education of young women. Interventions would be best targeted in low wealth regions with a special emphasis on rural areas.
Current definitions of elder abuse and neglect include physical, sexual, financial, emotional, and psychological dimensions. Such definitions overlook the spiritual lives of elders. Acknowledging and understanding spiritual abuse may be incredibly important for Native American Elder communities. Abuse of Native American elders can be detrimental on individual, communal, and cultural levels given that elders possess important cultural knowledge and are considered highly respected within indigenous communities. This article outlines the historical context of spiritual abuse within Native American communities and reviews the spiritual abuse literature in order to develop a culturally appropriate definition of spiritual abuse. Components of spiritual abuse include abuse from a trusted spiritual leader or mentor, limitations of access to sacred objects of ceremonial practice, and contamination of sacred objects or practice. Examples of spiritual abuse components are provided within both Native American spirituality as well as other modes of spiritual practice. Components of this definition can be utilized by health professionals, researchers, and tribal governments intending to develop culturally appropriate responses to elder abuse.
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