Intimate Partner Violence Victimization

Prevalence and acceptability of psychological and/or economic intimate partner violence, and utilization of mental health services by its survivors in Lithuania

BACKGROUND

Lithuania has one of the highest averages in the European Union when it comes to psychological and/or economic intimate partner violence (PE-IPV). IPV survivors are several times more likely to have mental health conditions than those without IPV experiences. The aim of this article is to study the prevalence, characteristics and attitudes of PE-IPV survivors in Lithuania, and the predictors of them accessing mental health services.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study based on a national survey representative of the adult population. The survey was implemented by a third-party independent market research company employing an online survey panel. Logistic regression models were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

Almost 50% of women in Lithuania experience PE-IPV. Females are significantly more likely to experience it than males. The vast majority of women find PE-IPV unacceptable; however, only one-third of survivors seek any type of help. Only one-tenth approach mental health services, with divorcees being at higher odds of doing so.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is needed to explore predictors and contextual factors of why IPV survivors seek mental healthcare, or not. Policy implications include the need to eliminate IPV and mental health stigma; develop accessible mental health services and effective treatment approaches.

The influences of sociocultural norms on women's decision to disclose intimate partner violence: Integrative review

Sociocultural norms against women can contribute to promoting intimate partner violence (IPV) and shape women's decision to disclose IPV. A cross-cultural analysis of the existing literature is needed to present an overview of the influences of sociocultural norms on women's decisions regarding the disclosure of IPV across different cultural contexts. The purpose of the review was to synthesize published quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (MMs) studies to identify known sociocultural norms across different cultures that may influence women's decision to disclose IPV. The Whittemore and Knafl framework, Rayyan software, and PRISMA flow diagram were used. Databases included APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, PubMed, SocINDEX, and Women's Studies International. The quality of studies was assessed by the MMs appraisal tool. A total of 15 research articles written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Main categories emerged: (1) stigma surrounding IPV disclosure, victimization, and divorce; (2) gender roles; (3) preserving family honor; and (4) Children's well-being and future. A one-size-fits-all approach is not adequate for women who are considering disclosing IPV. Findings underscore that regardless of residing in individualistic countries, those sociocultural norms related to traditional gender roles and gender inequality are still important barriers to the disclosure of IPV among women with collectivist roots.

Challenges of Using Videos in Exam Rooms of Safety-Net Clinics to Encourage Patient Self-Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence and to Increase Provider Screening

Identifying intimate partner violence (IPV) in clinics allows for early intervention. We tested a comprehensive approach in five safety-net clinics to encourage female victims to self-identify and providers to screen. The main components were (a) short, multilingual videos for female patients; (b) provider training; and (c) management tools. Although videos were viewed 2,150 times, only 9% of eligible patients watched them. IPV disclosure increased slightly (6%). Lack of internal champions, high turnover, increased patient load, and technological challenges hindered outcomes. Safety-net clinics need feasible methods to encourage IPV screening. Management champions and IT support are essential for video-based activities.

Intimate partner violence in Greece: a study of 664 consecutive forensic clinical examinations

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a well-known phenomenon, which affects mostly women. While IPV victims may attend emergency departments (EDs) seeking medical care, not all of them will make an allegation against their abusers.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and the characteristics of the victims, who had made an allegation about the violent incident and had been examined by a forensic pathologist for judicial purposes, and had attended EDs seeking medical care, before the forensic examination.

METHODS

We reviewed the archives of clinical examinations that were conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens during a 5-year period (2012-16).

RESULTS

Six hundred sixty-four clinical examinations were conducted at our Department for IPV allegations. According to our findings, women were more likely to seek medical care than men. Victims who have attended EDs were more likely to have sustained injuries located at least on the head or on the lower limbs.

CONCLUSION

The majority of IPV victims in the broader region of Attica (Greece) were women, usually married, and aged between 30 and 49 years old. Despite the fact that the majority of IPV incidents are not reported to police, every person who is engaged in the process of dealing with IPV victims has to be educated and adequately informed about this phenomenon, its implications and the possible ways to deal with it. Furthermore, victims need to be educated and informed adequately in waiting rooms of EDs.

Diminuição no uso de bebidas alcoólicas e a violência pelo parceiro íntimo

Introdução: A violência praticada por parceiro íntimo refere-se ao comportamento de parceiros ou ex-parceiros íntimos que resulta em dano físico, sexual ou psicológico, incluindo agressão física, coerção sexual, abuso psicológico e comportamento controlador. Sabe-se que o etilismo está associado ao aumento de tal violência. Objetivo: Analisar se a acompanhante do paciente em abstinência alcoólica referia menor índice de violência nesse período em relação ao tempo em que o mesmo fazia abuso de álcool. Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal no qual foram selecionados homens ex-etilistas atendidos no CAPSad de Maringá e suas parceiras. Foi utilizado um questionário para violência contra parceiro (HITS) composto de 4 perguntas objetivas, cuja pontuação varia de 4 até 20. Valores iguais ou superiores a 10 indicam violência. Resultados: Foram entrevistadas 53 mulheres de diversas faixas etárias e escolaridades. Desse total, 84,9% das participantes apresentaram pontuações menores no teste com o parceiro em abstinência em relação ao período em que o mesmo estava em uso/abuso de álcool. Das mulheres 15,1% não notaram diferença no nível de violência do acompanhante, estivesse ele em uso ou em abstinência alcoólica. Conclusões: Demonstrou-se claramente que o fato de cessar o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas reduziu o índice de violência infligida pelo parceiro.

Implementation of an intimate partner violence screening program in a university health care clinic

Objectives: To examine whether an intimate partner violence (IPV) screening program is related to a positive change in health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening. Participants: Eleven health care providers at a university health care clinic participated in the IPV screening program. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used to examine whether an IPV screening program was related to a change in health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening. Results: Findings indicated that there was a significant difference (p < 000) between the posttest scores and the pretest scores on the Domestic Violence Healthcare Provider Survey Scale. Domain analysis of the scale revealed a significant difference in perceived self-efficacy (p = .001), system support (p = <.002), victim provider safety (p = .015), and beliefs of blaming victims (p = <.004). No statistical difference was found in professional role resistance/fear of offending (p = .158). Conclusions: A university health care clinic IPV screening program was related to a positive change in health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening.

When Partners Turn Violent: Understanding Causality & Signs

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs across all cultures, ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, and educational backgrounds. Nurses should be aware of IPV and causative factors that include personal attributes, stressors, and community issues. The Intimate Partner Exposome conceptual model is used to identify exogenous and endogenous IPV risk factors. In addition, distinctive environmental factors can increase risk for IPV. The purpose of this article is to increase recognition of causative factors and presenting signs to enhance the nurse's ability to identify and assist IPV victims.

Relación entre la violencia contra la mujer y el índice de masa corporal: revisión integradora

Objetivo: el propósito de esta revisión es conocer la evidencia científica existente de la relación entre la violencia contra la mujer (VCM) y su índice de masa corporal (IMC) (alto y bajo).Síntesis del contenido: se realizó una revisión integradora de las publicaciones científicas que abordaran y relacionaran la VCM y el IMC en diferentes bases de datos. Se consideraron los siete pasos de Cooper. Se analizaron por título, año de publicación, autores y fuente; finalmente, se estudiaron los aspectos metodológicos. Se identificaron 85 artículos y se excluyeron 67 por no cumplir con los criterios de inclusión. De los artículos incluidos en la revisión, 5 reportaron correlación positiva y significativa entre la VCM con el índice de masa corporal alto (sobrepeso/obesidad). Asimismo, 6 de los artículos refieren una relación positiva entre la VCM y el IMC bajo; es decir, a mayor violencia, se reporta un IMC alto. Pero, también, 1 reporta una relación negativa y significativa; es decir, a menor violencia, menor el IMC de las mujeres.Conclusión: los resultados encontrados muestran la existencia escasa literatura científica que aborde la temática de la VCM y el IMC. Algunos estudios muestran la relación entre la VCM y el IMC alto y bajo. Los resultados no son concluyentes, por lo que se requiere generar líneas de acción y atención a las mujeres receptoras de los diferentes tipos de violencia.

Provider Screening and Counseling for Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review of Practices and Influencing Factors

BACKGROUND

Primary care providers have an important role in identifying survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and providing safety options. Routine screening rates by providers have been consistently low, indicating a need to better understand providers' practices to ensure the translation of policy into clinical practice.

AIM

This systematic review examines common themes regarding provider screening practices and influencing factors on these practices.

METHOD

A literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search focused on research articles which met the following criteria: (1) health-care providers as participants, (2) provider reports on screening and counseling practices for IPV, and (3) were in English or Spanish.

RESULTS

A total of 35 studies were included in the review. Across studies, providers commonly acknowledged the importance of IPV screening yet often used only selective screening. Influencing factors on clinic, provider, and patient levels shaped the process and outcomes of provider screening practices. Overall, a great deal of variability exists in regard to provider screening practices. This variability may be due to a lack of clear system-level guidance for these practices and a lack of research regarding best practices.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the necessity of more facilitative, clearly defined, and perhaps mandatory strategies to fulfill policy requirements. Future research directions are outlined to assist with these goals.

Reproductive coercion, sexual risk behaviours and mental health symptoms among young low-income behaviourally bisexual women: implications for nursing practice

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To describe prevalence of reproductive coercion, sexual risk behaviours and mental health symptoms among women reporting lifetime sexual experiences with men and women compared to peers reporting sex exclusively with men.

BACKGROUND

Reproductive coercion, a global public health problem, is understudied among sexual minority women. Violence against women remains high among women who have sex with women and men. Rates of sexual and physical violence among this population are higher than women reporting exclusive sexual partnerships with either men or women. Nurses and other healthcare providers often do not conduct comprehensive sexual histories; assumptions related to a sex partner's gender may provide indications of broader health implications.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey of low-income Black women ages 18-25 recruited from six community-based sites for a parent study focused on intimate partner violence and health.

METHODS

We analysed survey data from participants who reported lifetime sexual experiences with men and women (N = 42) and compared their outcomes to those of women reporting sexual experiences with men only (N = 107).

RESULTS

A greater proportion of women who have sex with women and men reported experiencing reproductive coercion. Women who have sex with women and men also reported a greater number of lifetime intimate partner physical and sexual violence experiences, traded sex for resources, and had post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide vital information that can inform nursing clinical practice, specifically related to history-taking, screening protocols and counselling strategies for intimate partner violence and mental health among women who have sex with women and men.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Strategies for addressing reproductive coercion and intimate partner violence as well as the health consequences among women who have sex with women and men in clinical and community-based settings should include a longitudinal understanding of sexual behaviour and gender of sex partners.

Intimate Partner Violence Screening Practices in California After Passage of the Affordable Care Act

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance coverage should include screening for intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present self-reported IPV screening practices and provider confidence from a post-ACA cross-sectional survey of 137 primary care clinicians in California. Only 14% of the providers reported always screening female patients for IPV and about one third seemed never to screen. Female providers were more likely to screen and use recommended direct questioning. Most providers lacked confidence in screening, referral, and record-keeping. Serving a low-income population predicted more frequent screening and better record-keeping. Overall, IPV screening in primary care was inadequate and needs attention.