A Comparative Study on Verbal Abuse of Women by in Laws in Urban Indian Households

Abstract

Women in India have long been victims of verbal abuse, although very few cases have been reported. Only a small percentage of women are aware of the meaning and nature of verbal abuse. As a result, the present study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of verbal abuse of women by in-laws in urban Indian households. The sample included 52 married women from the joint (n = 30) and nuclear (n = 22) homes. Purposive sampling was used to choose participants. Each participant was subjected to a semi-structured interview. The following themes (risk factors) were identified using thematic analysis: communication gap, husband’s position in the family, generation gap, lack of empathy, and loss of privacy and understanding. It was also discovered that the husband’s support and the assertiveness of the daughter-in-law can operate as protective factors that safeguard women from verbal abuse in Indian households.