Psychological Barriers to Help-Seeking among Women Experiencing Domestic Violence: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Advocacy Support

Daya, Laveena Dmello

Abstract: Background: Domestic violence is a significant social and psychological problem that can adversely affect women's emotional well-being, autonomy, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. Despite the availability of psychological, social, legal, and community-based support services, many women experiencing domestic violence delay or refrain from seeking assistance. Purpose: This article examines the psychological barriers that influence help-seeking among women experiencing domestic violence, with particular emphasis on self-efficacy and advocacy support. It seeks to understand how psychological factors such as fear, stigma, shame, perceived helplessness, low self-efficacy, and concerns about social consequences may affect women's willingness and ability to seek support. Conceptual Approach: The article adopts a conceptual perspective to examine the interrelationship between psychological barriers, self-efficacy, advocacy support, and help-seeking behaviour. Self-efficacy is considered an important psychological resource that may influence a woman's confidence to disclose experiences of violence, make informed decisions, and access available services. Advocacy support is viewed as a facilitating mechanism that can provide information, emotional support, rights awareness, referrals, safety-oriented guidance, and assistance in navigating formal and informal support systems. Key Insights: Psychological barriers may restrict women's recognition of available options, confidence in taking action, and willingness to approach support systems. Strengthening self-efficacy and providing accessible, responsive, and survivor-centred advocacy support may contribute to improved help-seeking and greater empowerment. Implications: An integrated approach involving psychologists, counsellors, social workers, advocates, community organizations, service providers, and policymakers is essential to reduce barriers to help-seeking. Interventions should emphasize empowerment, safety, confidentiality, informed decision-making, rights awareness, and accessible support pathways.

Keywords: Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, psychological barriers, help-seeking behaviour, self-efficacy, advocacy support, women's empowerment

How to Cite?: Daya, Laveena Dmello, "Psychological Barriers to Help-Seeking among Women Experiencing Domestic Violence: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Advocacy Support", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1347-1354, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26921185219, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26921185219

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