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The present research is a qualitative exploration of spousal abuse faced by Pakistani women residing in Lahore. Using Thematic analysis, we investigated different dimensions of spousal abuse, seeking to understand the forms of abuse experienced by women and how they feel, think, and react in response to it. For this purpose, a purposive sample of 16 women was taken. Data were collected through six semi-structured interviews and focus group method. The findings revealed that the women were experiencing a myriad of abuse and mistreatment including physical violence, emotional abuse ranging from humiliation to cold indifference, disempowerment and deprivation. This led to effects on their sense of self, physical and mental health, cognitions, relationships and wellbeing.

Keywords: spousal abuse, urban women, thematic analysis, mental health.

Respect, love, care and tolerance among human beings are considered great moral values. It is generally thought that love creates love, and when there is no gender based discrimination in a society, the familial and societal systems flourish and become stronger. Women play an important role in running their families and societies but, unfortunately, women are often humiliated and dishonored in the society (Cohen, 2010). Domestic abuse kills as many women belonging to the age group 15- 44 years as cancer (Atif, 2011). In Pakistan, every day, more than three women and one man are killed by their intimate partners (Ali & Gavino, 2008).

Domestic violence can be defined as "Any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life" (United Nation Organization, 1993, as cited in Breakey, Corless, Meedzan & Nicholas, 2015, p.193). Centre for Disease Control (CDC, 2007) has defined four main kinds of spousal abuse; physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence and threats of violence.

Various researchers have explored facets, prevalence, and circumstances of domestic violence against women. Tazeen, Asad, Morgen, and Krantz (2011) found that almost all forms of spousal abuse have been prevalent in urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan. They selected 759 women between 20 and 60 years of age. Majority of women were housewives. Results showed that prevalence of psychological abuse among...

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