Marital control, domestic violence justification, and mental health: a study of married women in Bangladesh
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The study demonstrates that social norms—particularly the justification and normalization of domestic violence and patriarchal control—are deeply embedded drivers of women’s mental health outcomes in Bangladesh. Norms that legitimize male authority and accept wife-beating under specific circumstances contribute to the internalization of abuse, reinforcing gender inequality and limiting women’s autonomy. The discussion highlights that when violence is socially tolerated, women may perceive it as expected or justified, leading to chronic psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. Importantly, even shifts toward greater autonomy (e.g., decision-making) may increase distress in contexts where such behaviors conflict with prevailing norms, underscoring that transforming harmful norms—not just individual behaviors—is essential for improving mental health.
Objectives This study aims to examine how marital control, attitudes justifying domestic violence, and socioeconomic factors are associated with anxiety and depression among married women in Bangladesh, addressing a gap in understanding how culturally embedded norms shape mental health outcomes.
Methods The study uses nationally representative, secondary data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), including 8,593 married women of reproductive age. Quantitative methods were applied, including descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, binary logistic regression, and stepwise multiple regression. Social norms were measured through proxy indicators, including women’s attitudes toward the justification of domestic violence (e.g., whether wife-beating is acceptable under specific conditions) and measures of marital control and decision-making autonomy. Mental health outcomes were assessed using validated scales (GAD-7 for anxiety and PHQ-9 for depression).
Results The findings reveal a substantial burden of mental health issues, with notable proportions of women experiencing anxiety and depression. Justification of domestic violence was strongly associated with higher odds of both anxiety and depression across multiple scenarios (e.g., neglecting children, arguing, refusing sex). Marital control, limited autonomy, and reproductive pressures (e.g., terminated pregnancy, pressure to conceive) were also significant predictors. Socioeconomic factors such as lower education, poverty, and lack of internet access further increased vulnerability. Stepwise regression identified terminated pregnancy and normative acceptance of violence as key predictors of mental health outcomes.
Conclusions The study concludes that women’s mental health in Bangladesh is shaped by an interplay of social norms, marital dynamics, and socioeconomic conditions. Normative acceptance of domestic violence and gender inequality are central drivers of psychological distress. Addressing these issues requires culturally sensitive, multi-level interventions that challenge harmful gender norms, strengthen women’s autonomy, and improve access to mental health and social support services.
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