EFFECTIVENESS OF BëST SOCIAL SUPPORT MODEL ON MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG STUDENTS EXPERIENCING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN UNIVERSITIES IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) encompasses sexual, psychological and physical abuse committed by a partner either during marriage, cohabitation, or any other type of partnership. Global estimates of IPV are at 30% among women, a range of 21-32% among college students. The detrimental effects of IPV on health classify it as a major priority for prevention and intervention. Various researchers have evidently linked IPV to poor mental health outcomes; however, studies among the college students have yielded contradictory findings. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the BëST social support model on mental health outcomes among students experiencing intimate partner violence in universities in Western Kenya. It assessed the characteristics of study participants at baseline, examined the effects of IPV on mental health, determined the mental health outcomes of using the model, explored factors influencing its use, and evaluated its effect on perceived levels of social support. This research adopted a quasi experimental study design utilising mixed method. Data was collected using questionnaires, FGDs and interviews. Snowball sampling was used to identify study participants whose sample size was determined using the Solvin’s formula. All four universities in the region were recruited; two were for the control group, which did group counselling, and two were for the intervention group, which underwent the BëST social support model. The sessions for both groups were done twice weekly for a duration of one month. A pilot study using 10% of the participants was done at Maseno University; the study also utilised validated screening tools. NVivo and the Statistical Analysis System software were used to analyse the findings. 426 participants completed the study, and the findings reveal that the majority (62%) were aged 20–29 years, and 67% were male. Student leaders shared their views on IPV awareness, its impact on students, and the support systems available within the universities. This study found a significant effect of IPV on mental health at baseline. Physical and psychological violence had an effect on depression (p-value 0.012 and 0.022, respectively), while sexual violence did not have a significant effect on IPV. However, over a varied period of time it had an effect on PTSD (p-value 0.049). Both therapies were effective in improving depression and anxiety (p < 0.0001); despite the intervention group showing a significant decrease in the mean scores for PTSD, depression and anxiety, the findings on PTSD were not significant. The themes that emerged from the focus group discussion (FGD) regarding factors influencing the use included navigating trust and decision-making, dynamics of the perpetrator, emotional complexity, and the uptake of institutional support services. On the effect of BëST support on perceived levels of social support, there were improved mean scores with significant p-values (<0.0001). This study concludes that IPV substantially affects the mental health outcomes of university students, highlighting the noticeable effects of physical and psychological violence on depression and anxiety. This study found that the BëST support model improved depression and anxiety and resulted in a steady decrease in PTSD mean scores. The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) highlighted the necessity of structuring the BST support to foster trust, tackle emotional complexity and decision-making, and effectively address the perpetrator's dynamics. This study recommends strengthening the informal support system, screening IPV participants on mental health outcomes and initiating tailored support for the victims, such as the adoption of this model. In addition, there is a need to identify other intervention programs that may help support PTSD victims.