Source : Khalid Al-Subiani / 4 June 2013

Women from poor backgrounds are less vulnerable to physical and verbal abuse, according to a study conducted by Salma Al-Harbi on 300 women between the ages of 30 and 34.

The study showed that women who come from poor families with an average monthly income between SR 1,000 and 1,999 are the least prone to abuse, followed by those who come from families earning between SR 4,000 and 4,999.

The highest rates of abuse were found among families earning an income of over SR 5,000.

“Women who belong to low-income families are often teachers and nurses,” Al-Harbi said.

The study showed that women between the ages of 25 and 29 are prone to more verbal abuse than of other age groups.

“Young women like to express themselves and give opinion on different issues; they often rebel against the family traditions,”she said, which in turn subjects them to an increased likelihood of violence and verbal abuse.

Women between the ages of 30 and 34 are least subjected to verbal violence while those between 35 and 39 years of age show the highest levels of physical and psychological abuse.

Divorcees and widows are often subjected to psychological abuse, but less verbal and physical violence. “Verbal and physical abuse is least among divorcees and widows; divorcees put a stop to violence by breaking up with the husband, and the widow by the death of the husband.

However, married women are subjected to verbal and physical abuse because the husband is the primary source of abuse,”the researcher said.

Women who enjoy more social support are less likely to be abused. Those who are supported by their friends are mostly between the age of 30 and 34, as ladies at that age have the ability to make strong friendships outside family circles. Women between the age of 15 and 19 often get support from their families, while those between the age of 35 and 39 get less social support, followed by women between ages 25 and 29.

Single women get the most support, followed by widows and divorcees while married women get the least social support.

The study said the more social support a woman gets from her family and friends, the less likely she will be subjected to physical, verbal and psychological abuse. The study surveyed 300 women and young girls, including five university professors, 30 teachers, 27 housewives, 45 nurses, 25 hospital technicians, 98 students, and 70 high school girls.

According to the study, married women formed 24.7 percent, divorcees 5.3 percent, widows 1.7 percent and single women 68.3 percent.

Salma Al-Harbi conducted the report as part of her master’s degree in psychological guidance from the University of Umm Al-Qura in Makkah.

She is studying under the supervision of Mohammad Jafar Jamal Al-Lail.