Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Among Iranian Women: Exploring the Role of Compassion and Psychological Consequences

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is pervasive in Iran, with limited research exploring help-seeking. Using path analysis we investigated the extent of IPV, help-seeking, and distress along with compassion for oneself and one’s spouse. Direct effects revealed: (1) IPV was positively associated with help-seeking, distress, and compassion for one’s partner, and negatively related to self-compassion, (2) Help-seeking was positively related to distress and compassion for one’s partner, (3) Self-compassion was negatively related to distress, whereas compassion for one’s partner was positively related. Indirect effects were found between (1) IPV and help-seeking through compassion for one’s partner, (2) IPV and distress through help-seeking, self-compassion, and compassion for one’s partner, and (3) each form of compassion and distress through help-seeking.