Digital Media,Mass Media Exposure and Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from NFHS-5 Data Among Scheduled Caste,Scheduled Tribe and General Category Women in India

Abstract

Among the marginalized and overlooked segments of India, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) women on intimate partner violence (IPV) is mixed. In contrast, women in the General category experience less IPV. Based on Psychoanalytic and Social learning theories, this study quantifies the disparity in IPV between these groups and examines the role of digital and mass media in analyzing IPV. This research endeavours to bridge this existing gap. Its objective is to comprehensively investigate the contributing factors and explain the disparity in IPV between SC, ST and General women by using the National Family Health Survey (2019–2021). The study utilized binary logistic regression and multivariate decomposition analysis to examine the contribution of each factor to IPV. The findings indicate that women exposed to digital media are less likely to experience IPV compared to those without exposure, while those exposed to broadcast media have an insignificant impact on the likelihood of experiencing IPV. However, women are more likely to experience IPV due to their husband’s alcohol consumption, parental IPV, and acceptance of IPV as justified and controlling behaviour, which increases IPV reporting.