Understanding Marital Rape Perception in MENA and South Asia: The Role of Resistance, Sexual Deprivation, and Jealousy

Olga Khokhlova; Miranda Horvath; Katherine Allen; Nishtha Lamba

doi:10.1177/10778012251366222

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Understanding Marital Rape Perception in MENA and South Asia: The Role of Resistance, Sexual Deprivation, and Jealousy

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Understanding Marital Rape Perception in MENA and South Asia: The Role of Resistance, Sexual Deprivation, and Jealousy

Olga Khokhlova, Miranda Horvath, Katherine Allen and Nishtha Lamba

Violence against women

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251366222

PMID: 40785467

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Abstract

sexual violence

intimate partner violence

underrepresented samples

domestic violence

family violence

Exploring perceptions of marital rape (MR) across diverse regions, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South Asia, this study recruited participants ( N = 576, M age = 24.88, SD age = 9.36) via convenience and snowball sampling for online surveys. Participants engaged with nine MR scenario vignettes, varying in perpetrator justification (no justification, sexual deprivation, jealousy) and victim resistance (passive, verbal, verbal, and physical). Results from nine 3 × 3 factorial ANOVAs revealed significant effects of justification type and resistance level on perception of MR. Cultural differences emerged, with MENA respondents emphasizing jealousy-justified rape seriousness, while South Asian respondents were influenced by resistance level. Understanding these regional nuances is crucial for tailored interventions and legal reforms addressing MR.

Details

Title: Understanding Marital Rape Perception in MENA and South Asia: The Role of Resistance, Sexual Deprivation, and Jealousy
Authors/Creators: Olga Khokhlova - Murdoch University
Miranda Horvath - University of Suffolk
Katherine Allen - University of Suffolk
Nishtha Lamba - Middlesex University Dubai
Publication Details: Violence against women
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Number of pages: 22
Identifiers: 991005807949907891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 6 Social Sciences; 6.24 Psychiatry & Psychology; 6.24.1084 Sexual Violence
Web Of Science research areas: Women's Studies
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general