Intimate partner violence, alcohol abuse, and depression among female spouses to soldiers in Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Luwero District

Abstract

Female spouses to soldiers are more likely to experience Intimate partner violence (IPV), alcohol abuse, and depression than other populations. The study employed quantitative and correlation study designs to establish the relationship between IPV, alcohol abuse, and depression among female spouses to soldiers in UPDF. A sample of 196 respondents was selected. Purposive sampling method was used to select the respondents. Results indicated a positive correlation between respondents’ exposure to Intimate partner violence and suffering from depression (p = .001<0.05.) There was a positive relationship between female spouses to soldiers exposure to Intimate partner violence and their alcohol abuse (p =.002<0.05). Results indicated a positive relationship between female spouses’ alcohol abuse and depression (p =.002<0.05). PROCESS was used to investigate the hypothesis that alcohol abuse mediates the effect of IPV on depression. Results indicated that IPV was a significant predictor of alcohol abuse (a= 7.4943 se was =1.5312, p<05,) and the impact of alcohol abuse on depression also significant (b=.1953 se=.0950 p<05). The direct effect of IPV on depression was significant (c=.8777, se=.1478, p<.05). The study findings show an association between IPV, alcohol abuse , and depression among female spouses to soldiers in UPDF. There is a need to screen for IPV and establish programs for both perpetrators and victims. Intervention programs should aim at primary prevention of IPV, changing gender related attitudes, beliefs and values of both perpetrators and victims at societal as well as individual levels, increasing willingness to change abusive behavior by recognizing the negative effects of IPV on their relationship, providing practical information on how to change abusive and controlling behavior by exploring non-controlling and non-violent ways of relating to others and also develop support systems for perpetrators to remain non awareness of how dangerous abusive behavior can be not violent and increase only to themselves but also their spouses and children.