LEARNED HELPLESSNESS AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG YOUNG FEMALE VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) takes many forms ranging from physical abuse to sexual violence. It is also well recognized that battering is a major health problem that can have severe consequences for those affected. The current study aimed to assess IPV in the context of learned helplessness and self-esteem among young female victims. A purposive sample of (N=140) battered women of 21-35 age range were drawn from shelter homes. Psychological and physical abuse was assessed by Abusive Behavior Inventory. Self-esteem and learned helplessness were measured by Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and Learned Helplessness Scale. Findings indicated that young victims of intimate partner violence were subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse and experienced learned helplessness and had low self-esteem. Physical and Psychological abuse were the strong predictors of low self-esteem and learned helplessness. Results were discussed in the light of literature and cultural content.  Young women with a history of severe physical and psychological abuse (IPV) experience learned helplessness and low self-esteem. Learned helplessness and low self-esteem are entangled in the vicious cycle such that increase in one decreases the other