Understanding PTSD among women affected by domestic violence : evaluating mental health and social support services in Finland and Pakistan
Furqan, Faryal (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026051813219
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026051813219
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this master’s thesis was kind of to look at how domestic violence, maybe helps shape the emergence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among women living in Finland and Pakistan, and also to judge how well mental health and social support services work for survivors in those two countries. The study aimed to examine how cultural and social and institutional elements affect trauma intensity and treatment-seeking patterns in two distinct welfare systems and cultural environments.
The research used a quantitative comparative research design which followed a pragmatic research philosophy and employed a deductive research method. Primary data were gathered using a structured online survey, it was delivered through Google Forms to participants in Finland and Pakistan, at the same time. The same questionnaire was used in both countries to ensure consistency and comparability. The survey included sections on demographic information, experiences of domestic violence, PTSD symptoms measured using the PCL-5 scale, help-seeking behavior, and perceived barriers to accessing support services. The final analysis included a total of 69 valid responses.
The study found that emotional abuse and controlling behavior served as the main forms of domestic violence which led to most cases of PTSD among the study population. The Pakistani respondents showed higher levels of PTSD symptoms than the Finnish respondents did. The main obstacles that prevented people from seeking help included stigma, fear, cultural pressure, financial difficulties, lack of awareness, and low institutional trust. Finnish respondents showed stronger reliance on formal support services, while Pakistani respondents depended more on informal support systems such as family and friends.
Research shows that domestic violence creates major risk factors which lead to PTSD in both countries because institutional support and service accessibility and cultural norms determine how people will recover from their conditions. The thesis recommends that developing countries, especially Pakistan, should strengthen their recovery systems through enhanced trauma-informed care and reduced mental health stigma and increased institutional trust.
The research used a quantitative comparative research design which followed a pragmatic research philosophy and employed a deductive research method. Primary data were gathered using a structured online survey, it was delivered through Google Forms to participants in Finland and Pakistan, at the same time. The same questionnaire was used in both countries to ensure consistency and comparability. The survey included sections on demographic information, experiences of domestic violence, PTSD symptoms measured using the PCL-5 scale, help-seeking behavior, and perceived barriers to accessing support services. The final analysis included a total of 69 valid responses.
The study found that emotional abuse and controlling behavior served as the main forms of domestic violence which led to most cases of PTSD among the study population. The Pakistani respondents showed higher levels of PTSD symptoms than the Finnish respondents did. The main obstacles that prevented people from seeking help included stigma, fear, cultural pressure, financial difficulties, lack of awareness, and low institutional trust. Finnish respondents showed stronger reliance on formal support services, while Pakistani respondents depended more on informal support systems such as family and friends.
Research shows that domestic violence creates major risk factors which lead to PTSD in both countries because institutional support and service accessibility and cultural norms determine how people will recover from their conditions. The thesis recommends that developing countries, especially Pakistan, should strengthen their recovery systems through enhanced trauma-informed care and reduced mental health stigma and increased institutional trust.