| dc.description.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. | en_US |
