Protective factors against suicide attempt and violence against women in Azerbaijan: Reports from women with lived experience and mental health providers.

Abstract

Little is known regarding the protective factors against suicide and violence against women in Muslim majority countries. The authors of this study aim to address this gap. Women with lived experience of suicide and violence (N = 51), and mental health providers in Azerbaijan participated in either in-depth qualitative interviews or focus groups. We used a mixed-methods design in this study. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted. Conventional content analysis was used for qualitative data. Psychological support, psychoeducation, providing women with financial opportunities and changing cultural values regarding gender norms were identified as the strongest protective factors against suicide and violence against women. Our findings point to culturally relevant protective factors that can inform prevention and intervention efforts to mitigate risk of suicide and violence against women in Azerbaijan and Muslim majority countries with shared values and cultural norms.