Should Programs Designed to Help IPV Survivors Screen for Mental Health–Related Problems (original) (raw)
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Back to Basics: Essential Qualities of Services for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Violence Against Women, 2012
Survivor voice is essential to effectively implement survivor-focused IPV (intimate partner violence) services. In this focus group study, domestic violence survivors (n = 30) shared detailed perspectives as service seekers and recipients, whereas national hotline advocates (n = 24) explored relationships between service providers and survivors based on their interactions with both. Four thematic categories related to enhancing IPV services emerged: providing empathy, supporting empowerment, individualizing care, and maintaining ethical boundaries. Advocates identified additional factors that interfered with quality services, including the following: inadequate organizational resources, staff burnout, lack of training, and poor integration with other community resources. Respectful, empowering relationships are the centerpiece for quality IPV services.
Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry
Purpose of review Individuals experiencing mental health difficulties are at heightened risk for experiencing past and recent intimate partner violence (IPV), including sexual, psychological, and physical violence and/or stalking, from an intimate partner. Yet, mental health clinicians often report limited knowledge about IPV, especially best clinical practices for identifying and addressing IPV experiences in routine mental health care. Recent findings This paper reviews literature on IPV experiences, including prevalence, linkages with mental health problems, considerations for vulnerable populations, and evidence-based practices for screening, assessment, and intervention for IPV in the context of mental health care. These practices are rooted in trauma-informed and person-centered care principles and emphasize safety and empowerment. Summary We conclude by commenting on common clinician challenges and considerations for case conceptualization for individuals experiencing IPV.
Stigma From Professional Helpers Toward Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Partner Abuse, 2015
The authors explored experiences of stigma from professional helpers toward survivors of intimate partner violence in two related studies with a combined sample of 231 participants. Qualitative interview and quantitative survey data were analyzed with content analysis procedures using an a priori coding strategy. Results suggest that survivors felt stigmatized by mental health professionals, attorneys and judges, health care professionals, law enforcement, professionals in the employment or education systems, parenting-related professionals, as well as friends and family. The most frequently occurring stigma categories were feeling dismissed, denied, and blamed. Participants cited the most common sources of stigma occurred from interactions with professionals in the court system and law enforcement officers. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Journal of Family Violence
Over the past 50 years, programs serving intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors have expanded nationally. However, despite IPV program growth service gaps remain, particularly for the most marginalized and vulnerable survivor populations. Emerging practice models call for reimagining current IPV service delivery within an intersectional feminist, trauma-informed framework. An overview of intersectional (e.g. survivor-centered, full-frame, culturally specific) and trauma-informed IPV service approaches will be presented highlighting their shared emphasis on power sharing, authentic survivor-advocate relationships, individualized services, and robust systems advocacy. These approaches have the potential to transform IPV services and narrow service gaps if organizations can embed key elements into program design, implementation and evaluation processes. Recommendations for moving the IPV field forward include: 1) expanding survivors’ roles/input; 2) strengthening funding streams and...
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2014
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a crucial public health concern with substantial detrimental effects, including poorer physical and mental health as well as increased difficulties accessing formal services. Most research to date has focused on frequencies, barriers, and facilitators of service use among IPV survivors. However, what remains poorly understood is the perspectives of IPV survivors on their experiences of accessing multiple services after leaving the abusive situations. To answer this, six one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with survivors using expanded definition of "services," which included social services, shelters, health care, police, legal assistance, and so forth. Data were analyzed using Constant Comparison. Four resulting themes were (a) Positive Aspects, (b) Negative Aspects, (c) Impact of Experiences With Services, and (d) Contextual Factors. Within each of these categories, several sub-categories emerged and are discussed within the context of the literature and recommendations are made for improving services for IPV survivors.
Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care: Orienting Intimate Partner Violence Interventions to Equity
Current Epidemiology Reports, 2022
Purposeof Review Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex traumatic experience that often co-occurs, or is causally linked, with other forms of structural violence and oppression. However, few IPV interventions integrate this social-ecological perspective. We examine trauma-and violence-informed care (TVIC) in the context of existing IPV interventions as an explicitly equity-oriented approach to IPV prevention and response. Recent Findings Systematic reviews of IPV interventions along the public health prevention spectrum show mixed findings, with those with a theoretically grounded, structural approach that integrates a trauma lens more likely to show benefit. Summary TVIC, embedded in survivor-centered protocols with an explicit theory of change, is emerging as an equitypromoting approach underpinning IPV intervention. Explicit attention to structural violence and the complexity of IPV, systems and sites of intervention, and survivors' diverse and intersectional lived experiences has significant potential to transform policy and practice.
Making connections across silos: intimate partner violence, mental health, and substance use
BMC Women's Health, 2017
Background: Untold numbers of women worldwide are survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with a substantial number of these experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use problems. Despite the complex interconnections among these problems, funding mechanisms and organizational structures and mandates have been designed to address just a single, focal problem. One of the challenges for frontline providers is the lack of effective, evidence-informed inter-professional education or training to help them identify and appropriately respond to co-occurring problems. We developed an evidence-informed, competency-based curriculum to address this gap. In this paper we report on its effectiveness in increasing knowledge, changing beliefs and enhancing skills of frontline workers from all three sectors. Methods: The curriculum consists of multiple elements: a text manual; an interactive, online series of modules; and, an in-person workshop. Frontline workers (n = 1111) in the violence against women (VAW) (n = 499), mental health (n = 229), addiction treatment (n = 167), and associated sectors (n = 149) were recruited to attend the workshop and instructed to read the manual or complete the online modules before attending. Some failed to respond (n = 67). Online pre-and post-tests were used to assess changes in knowledge, beliefs and skills; evaluations of the workshop were also collected. Results: Matched pre-and post-tests were available for over half of the participants (n = 624). Results show statistically significant improvements across all six competency domains from pre to post-test (p <0.0001). Significant changes in participants' knowledge and stigmatizing beliefs were achieved. There was no correlation among differences in sector, age, size of organization, years of experience or prior training. Participant feedback made evident prior misconceptions about women experiencing co-occurring problems, improved understanding about the need to bridge silos, as well as the need for enhanced self-care. Conclusions: An educational intervention designed to sensitize frontline workers to the realities of women's experiences of co-occurring problems, educate about the challenges of accessing help when there are co-occurring problems, and bridge discipline and practice-based silos, can effectively challenge and alter providers' negative attitudes and stigmatizing beliefs. Decreasing stigmatizing beliefs and increasing knowledge has the potential to help survivors access needed help.
A Critical Pathway for Intimate Partner Violence Across the Continuum of Care
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 2003
The authors developed an interdisciplinary critical pathway for intimate partner violence (IPV) assessment and intervention for use across health care settings. Intimate partner violence may be emotional, physical, and/or sexual and involves coercion and control by one partner over the other.
2017
Intimate partner violence is a public health problem having tremendous impact on women's health. Also, intimidate partner violence, also known as domestic violence is the primary cause of injury to women in the United States. Physical and psychiatric problems are the result of domestic violence with victims having increase use of health services compared to those not abused. Often, domestic violence is not identified in the health services organizations when victims access health care. This analytical review of the literature addressed existing research and literature on the current status of intimate partner violence. The Holistic Model Based on Adequate Screening, Assessment and Interventions for Improving the Health Outcomes in Victims of Intimate Partner Violence is a useful model for guiding health professionals in recognizing the relevant of violence when women present certain illnesses in diverse health services organizations. Strategies for improving the health outcomes for this group include: (a) adequate screening, assessment and interventions; (b) more education for health professionals on assessing victims of violence; (c) domestic violence included in the curriculum of universities and colleges for health professionals; (d) continuing education on domestic violence in the workplace; and (e) assess for signs and symptoms of domestic violence and conduct valid screening and assessment tools on patients in certain health services organizations when women access care. More policy development is needed for victims of intimate partner violence to improve health outcomes.
Health needs and barriers to healthcare of women who have experienced intimate partner violence
Journal of Women's …, 2007
Background: This study assessed the health needs and barriers to healthcare among women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) as told by women themselves. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 women clients and 10 staff members at a crisis center in metropolitan North Carolina. Clients also completed a structured survey. Results: Eleven shelter clients and 14 walk-ins completed the survey and interview. Client participants were demographically mixed, and 20% were Spanish-speaking immigrants. Most clients were unemployed and uninsured. Women reported worse health in the interviews than on the surveys; clients' major health needs were chronic pain, chronic diseases, and mental illness. Reported barriers to healthcare were cost, psychological control by the abuser, and low self-esteem and self-efficacy. Staff's perceptions of clients health needs differed from clients,' focusing on reproductive health, HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI), mental illness, and inadequate preventive healthcare. Staff and clients' perceptions of barriers to healthcare were more congruent. Suggestions for improving the center's response were to offer more health education groups and more health-related staff trainings. Agency barriers to implementing these changes were limited funding, focus on crisis management, and perceived disconnect with the healthcare system. Conclusions: Health needs of women who have experienced IPV are significant and include physical and mental concerns. IPV creates unique barriers to accessing healthcare, which can be addressed only partially by a crisis center. Greater coordination with the healthcare system is needed to respond more appropriately to the health needs of women who have experienced IPV.