Assessment of relationship between violence against women and depression in couples applying for infertility treatment

Assessment of Relationship Between Violence Against Women and Depression in Couples Applying for Infertility Treatment Background and Aim: Infertility threatens health with adverse effects on mental health and quality of life of couples and this situation is defined as a life crisis. There are physical, psychological, social, emotional and economic effects of infertility. It is emphasized that these effects may be stress, anxiety, depression, economic difficulties, guilt, fear, social status loss, helplessness, social stigmatization and sometimes violence. In this study, it was aimed to assess the relationship between violence against women and depression in couples applying for infertility treatment. Materials and Methods: The study included 350 female patients who applied to infertility outpatient clinic in Balcali Hospital of Cukurova University between May and September 2017. Participants completed sociodemografic questionnaire, IWEDVS and BDI-PC questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 Statistical analysis program. Results: The mean age of the women was 30,63±6,41 years, the duration of marriage was 5,20±4,01 years and the mean age of first marriage was 24,62±6,54 years. The mean score of IWEVDS was 49,53±13,66, the mean score of BDI-PC was 3,54-2,75 and there was a significant relationship between the total violence scores and depression levels. A significant relationship was found between total violence scores and education level, spouses education level and employment status.(p<0,05) Conclusion: Depression tendency is significantly higher for those with a higher mean score of IWEVDS. There is a tendency to depression in those with a high means of domestic violence, social pressure, punishment, exposure to traditional practice and exclusion subscales of IWEVDS. Key words: Depression, Family Medicine, Infertility, Violence.