Gender inequality and structural violence among depressed women in South India

While exploring experiences of psychological distress among psychiatric outpatients in Southern India, we set out to further
understand interpersonal and socio-cultural factors that are associated with depressive symptoms.

Using a grounded theory framework, we thematically coded narrative accounts of the women who sought treatment at the psychiatric
clinic. In addition, we included author notes from participant observation and field work experiences in the South Indian
psychiatric clinic.

Of the 32 women who participated in the study, 75 % qualified for a diagnosis of a current major depressive episode. Depressive
symptoms were associated with experiences of domestic violence and, in Farmer’s terms, structural violence. Although only
a partial response to gender-based suffering, allopathic psychiatric treatment seemed the best available means of coping with
their circumstances.

The paper moves beyond a medicalized model of disease and behavior to explore social and contextual factors that enabled these
women to brave additional stigmas surrounding psychiatric treatment and seek a better outcome for themselves. It concludes
by discussing the need for a multi-layered approach to addressing the suffering that women in South India experience.