Factors Affecting Mental health, Psychological Impact, and Coping strategies Among Acid Attack Survivors: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Acid violence is a brutal form of gender-based violence, and it has devastating and long-term effects on the survivors’ physical and psychological health. The physical trauma experienced by survivors has been widely studied, but psychological challenges and coping strategies that help with healing have received less attention. This integrative review aimed to synthesize evidence on the factors affecting mental health, the psychological impacts, and the coping strategies among acid attack survivors. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Scopus, PsycINFO, and manual searches of NGO reports and reference lists. Out of 160 identified articles, 08 met the inclusion criteria. The result was analyzed through thematic categorization and integrative synthesis. The mental health of survivors was influenced by six interrelated factors: disfigurement and physical injury, social stigma and discrimination, economic instability, barriers related to legal and justice, disrupted family dynamics, and media-cultural influences. Survivors experienced significant psychological consequences: emotional distress (depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts), cognitive distortions (negative body image, self-blame), behavioral changes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosomatic symptoms. Coping strategies ranged from maladaptive avoidance to adaptive approaches (problem-focused, emotional, cognitive, reinforcing, and social coping). Social support from families, peers, and NGOs serves as an important protective factor that fosters resilience and reintegration in survivors. A biopsychosocial strategy that integrates social, legal, psychological, and medical interventions is needed to address the needs of survivors. To promote resilience, healing, and post-traumatic growth in survivors, we need to strengthen institutional responses, encourage adaptive coping, and improve support networks.