Domestic violence, and self-esteem among women: A comparative study of Haryana

Abstract

In regions like Haryana, women bear an excessive burden of household responsibilities and face elevated levels of domestic violence which adversely affects the development of self-esteem in women and subsequently cause loss of confidence in them. Given the alarming “prevalence of domestic violence against females” in the State of Haryana, the present study was conducted to evaluate and compare domestic violence and self-esteem among women in the State. The research involved 125 women from Haryana’s diverse urban and rural areas, approached through in-person visits. Participants completed the Self-Esteem Scale of Rosenberg and the Domestic Violence Questionnaire by taking prior informed consent. Significant differences in selfesteem and domestic violence between rural and urban women, as well as educated and uneducated women, were shown by data analysis based on education level and geographic location. Public health experts must therefore, give top priority to public awareness campaigns that facilitate candid discussions about domestic abuse in addition to activities aimed at boosting women’s self-esteem via intervention, counseling, and strategic planning. These actions could, therefore, be crucial in easing this intricate medico-social problem.