Psychological distress for divorced women in Baghdad : a cross-sectional study

Abstract EN

Objectives: The present study aims to assess the level of psychological distress among divorced women in Baghdad and to find out the significant relationship between psychological and age, educational level, having children, number of children, custody of children and period of divorce.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study that carried out for the period from 2nd May to 30th November, 2015.

A sample of 50 divorced women is selected purposively (non probability sample) who were attending the social welfare department at the local municipal council in Al-Sadir city in Baghdad, Al-Rasafa sector.

A semi-structured questionnaire was used by the investigators for the present study.

The data have been collected through the utilization of the self administrative questionnaire as a mean of data collection.

Statistical analyses were conducted such as frequencies, percentage, mean, standard deviation and chi-square by using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 15.0.

Results: The results reveal that ages of divorced women were ranged from 20-29 year old, with educational level of primary/secondary school, having 1-3 children, and they are responsible for custody of their children, the period of divorced for them was 2-4 years.

The results show that more than half of divorced women experiencing moderate to high level of psychological distress and there is no significant relationship between psychological distress among divorced women and their age, educational level, having children, number of children, custody of children and period of divorce.

Conclusions: The study concluded that divorce is highly prevalent at age group 20-40 years old among women who they have moderate to severe psychological distress.

Recommendations: The study recommended on emphasis on the role of media to change the negative view towards divorced women, the study also recommended on emphasis of governmental role for supporting these women and providing recreational and rehabilitative programs for them.