Does domestic violence cause women to suffer serious psychological trauma?

Many women suffer from domestic violence in their daily lives. When talking about domestic violence, most people will first think that family disgrace should not be made public, and some women even choose to swallow their anger. However, once they have experienced domestic violence, it will cause great psychological trauma to women both physically and mentally. It usually takes a long time to get out of the trauma. But for men, once there is domestic violence, there will be a second and third time.

Does domestic violence cause women psychological trauma?

The psychological trauma suffered by women after domestic violence is very severe.

The psychological harm of domestic violence to women

1. Weakening of social functions

Most women lose confidence in marriage after suffering repeated domestic violence from their husbands and choose to divorce. According to surveys, women who divorce due to domestic violence account for more than a quarter of the overall divorce rate.

The family is the foundation of society and the place where family members receive socialization. Emotional discord between parents and the breakdown of marriage seriously affect the overall happiness index of society. Their long-term existence will only lead to an increase in factors of social disharmony.

2. Emotional panic

Women who are victims of domestic violence are in a state of panic and stress for a long time. They live cautiously and are always ready to escape from unpredictable harm. Their limited psychological resources for regulating emotional experiences and emotional states are easily "exhausted", and psychological problems involving emotional regulation such as fear, anxiety, insomnia and depression arise.

Domestic studies have shown that 91% of victims of violence are in a state of long-term tension and suffer from anxiety and insomnia, and 88% are in a state of depression.

3. Excessive tolerance

It is undeniable that tolerance and forgiveness play an extremely important role in maintaining a marriage. I often hear elders say that if you are patient, a lifetime will pass. However, in marriage, tolerance is not a panacea for all diseases.

Some women, even when their husbands have extramarital affairs and frequently commit domestic violence against them, still swallow their anger and endure it silently. This is considered "excessive tolerance." For women who endure domestic violence, their strong ability to tolerate is one of their fatal weaknesses. [page]

4. Interpersonal withdrawal

Due to emotional problems such as shame, fear, and anxiety, women who are victims of domestic violence may also have difficulties in interpersonal communication, leading to their isolation and helplessness. A study found that the female subjects who were victims of domestic violence showed a decrease in interpersonal interactions, and some of them almost cut off contact with the outside world.

In our country, the traditional concept of "family disgrace should not be made public" has exacerbated the behavioral withdrawal of female victims of domestic violence in interpersonal communication. On the one hand, interpersonal withdrawal compresses the space and paths for female victims of domestic violence to obtain social support. On the other hand, it directly or indirectly encourages the harmful behavior of the perpetrators, which will further worsen the situation of female victims of domestic violence.

5. Worry about gains and losses

The reason why women can endure the harm of domestic violence is also related to their fear of loss and their consideration and worry about other factors in marriage and family. Some do it for their children, some do it for fear of bringing trouble to their families and relatives, so they have no choice but to endure domestic violence in silence.

Domestic violence in marriage is a heavy and complex topic. In addition to physical violence, there is also "cold violence" which is equally painful and helpless. As an outsider or bystander, it is impossible to fully understand the pain of the victims.