Journal of Health Literacy

Journal of Health Literacy

Mental Health Literacy as a Predictor of Coping Strategies in Women Victims of Domestic Violence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tehran, Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyed Younes Hosseini 1
Jamileh Mohtashami 2
Solmaz Roshandel 3
1 Master's degree in Psychiatric Nursing, Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22038/jhl.2026.92455.1893
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Domestic violence severely impacts women's mental health and quality of life. Mental health literacy (MHL) may influence how women interpret and respond to violence, yet its specific role in predicting coping strategies remains underexplored, particularly in the Iranian context. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of MHL in coping strategies among women victims of domestic violence in Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 138 women whose experience of domestic violence was confirmed by forensic medicine specialists at the central branch of the Tehran Province Forensic Medicine Organization. Participants were selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the standardized Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and the validated Coping with Domestic Violence against Women Questionnaire. The reliability of the instruments was re-evaluated in this study (Cronbach’s alpha: MHLS =.89; Coping =.91). Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and linear regression in SPSS version 26.

Results: More than half of the participants (54.3%) exhibited moderate-to-low levels of MHL, with no participants in the high range. A significant positive correlation was found between MHL and total coping strategies (r =.835, p <.01). Regression analysis revealed that MHL was a significant positive predictor of both problem-focused (R² = 0.515, β =.718, p <.001) and emotion-focused coping (R² =.416, β = 0.645, p <.001). Higher education and employment were associated with greater MHL and coping.

Conclusion: Mental health literacy appears to be a significant and potentially modifiable factor associated with coping strategies among women experiencing domestic violence. Enhancing MHL through targeted educational initiatives may support women in adopting more adaptive coping responses. These findings highlight the importance of integrating MHL promotion into support programs for victims of domestic violence in Iran.
Keywords
Health Literacy
Mental Health
Coping Skills
Domestic Violence
Women&rsquo
s Health
Iran

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to express their gratitude to all participants who contributed to this study. 


Availability of Data and Material: The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. 


Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 


Consent for publication: Not applicable.


Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: This study was conducted in compliance with the ethical principles of research and in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University (IR.IAU.TMU.REC.1403.102). All participants provided written informed consent after being fully informed about the study objectives. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was strictly maintained throughout the study. 


Funding: No financial support was received for this research. 


Authors’ Contributions: S.Y.H. and J.M. conceived and designed the study, performed data analysis, drafted the manuscript, and contributed to resource management and participant recruitment. All authors (S.Y.H., J.M., and S.R.) reviewed, critically revised, and approved the final version of the manuscript for submission. 

 

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Journal of Health Literacy

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 July 2026