Intimate Partner Violence in Khaliji Women: A Review of the Frequency and Related Factors

Maisa H. Al Kiyumi (), Asma Said Al Shidhani, Hana Al Sumri, Yaqoub Al Saidi, Amira Al Harrasi, Maryam Al Kiyumi, Sanaa Al Sumri, Aseel Al Toubi, Maithili Shetty and Samir Al-Adawi ()
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Maisa H. Al Kiyumi: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Asma Said Al Shidhani: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Hana Al Sumri: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Yaqoub Al Saidi: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Amira Al Harrasi: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Maryam Al Kiyumi: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Sanaa Al Sumri: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Aseel Al Toubi: Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Maithili Shetty: Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Samir Al-Adawi: Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji , is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the aforementioned region, but research that synthesises this trend has remained scarce. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women who inhabit the GCC nations. This review synthesised studies on physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women were observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7–71%), sexual (3.7–81%), financial (21.3–26%), and psychological (7.5–89%), which is a culmination of controlling behaviour (36.8%), emotional violence (22–69%), and social violence (34%). Existing studies in the GCC region suggest that the most endorsed IPV was psychological abuse (89%), followed by sexual violence (81%). Qualitative analysis of the content of associated factors resulted in four significant descriptors, such as victim demographics, sociocultural factors, socioeconomic factors, and perpetrator-related issues. Research on IPV is still in its nascent stages, with very few studies emanating from the GCC region. The way forward will require developing culturally appropriate interventions that address the unique risk factors for IPV among the Khaliji population, strengthening institutional responses, and increasing awareness and social support for victims of IPV.

Keywords: intimate partner violence; domestic violence; prevalence rates; forms of IPV (physical, sexual, emotional, economic); risk factors; cultural attitudes towards violence and gender roles; GCC; Arab; Khaliji (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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