Psychosocial consequences of widespread of torture and sociopolitical pressure in Iran

Abstract

Background: Violence and political repression in general may have a complex psychosocial impact on societies. Studying these effects in countries with a high grade of repression based on reliable data from inside the country is difficult, mainly due to risks facing researchers. Methods and results: The authors developed a strategy to integrate available data from inside Iran, exiled survivors, and reliable international sources to investigate the psychosocial situation in the country, where torture and execution are used frequently. Data on human rights violations, including violence against women, persecution of political activists, and torture and execution of teenagers indicate pervasive strategy of repression in Iran in the last four decades. This thereby has caused substantial long term public mental health impact and continue to cause other social and economic problems and to create a burden on the Iranian population. Conclusion: Although, general psychosocial health of a society is determined by multiple factors, we conclude from the very limited data available from inside Iran that political repression is not the only such factor, but can be assumed to be at least contributing significantly to the increasing physical and mental health problems in the country, creating a difficult position for health professionals especially in detention facilities. Key words:.