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Reiter JE, Grossman SF, Perkins NH, Pryce J, Flaherty-Gupta A. Parenting in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: Understanding Mothers' Perceptions. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:4662-4687. [PMID: 35978540 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221118612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite existing research, which has focused on the impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) on mothers and their children, there is a paucity of research specifically examining mothers' perceptions of parenting in the context of IPV. This qualitative study explored parenting capacity and meaning making among a purposive sample of 16 female survivors of IPV who experienced IPV during both childhood and adulthood and had at least one school-aged child. Participants completed semi-structured in-person interviews during which they were asked a series of questions about their experiences with IPV and their parenting practices. Analysis revealed that parenting capacity could be categorized by two capacities: relational and operational. Based on these descriptive accounts of the experiences of parenting in contexts of IPV, a preliminary model suggesting a Dual-Part Model of Parenting (relational and operational capacity) is presented to aid in understanding the complexity and nuance of how parenting capacity may be impacted by IPV exposure throughout the lifespan. Strengths-based approaches to supporting survivors in parenting are explored, and future implications for strengths-based approaches to clinical practice with IPV survivors as well as improved research practices and social policies that emphasize an intersectionality approach are discussed.
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Barnes M, Szilassy E, Herbert A, Heron J, Feder G, Fraser A, Howe LD, Barter C. Being silenced, loneliness and being heard: understanding pathways to intimate partner violence & abuse in young adults. a mixed-methods study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1562. [PMID: 35974354 PMCID: PMC9381391 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND International research shows the significance and impact of intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) as a public health issue for young adults. There is a lack of qualitative research exploring pathways to IPVA. METHODS The current mixed-methods study used qualitative interviews and analysis of longitudinal cohort data, to explore experiences of pathways to IPVA. Semi-structured Interviews alongside Life History Calendars were undertaken to explore 17 young women's (19-25 years) experiences and perceptions of pathways to IPVA in their relationships. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Based on themes identified in the qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis was conducted in data from 2127 female and 1145 male participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort study. We fitted regression models to assess the association of child maltreatment, parental domestic violence, and peer-to-peer victimisation, by age 12, with loneliness during adolescence (ages 13-14), and the association of loneliness during adolescence with IPVA (age 18-21). Mediation analysis estimated the direct effects of maltreatment on IPVA, and indirect effects through loneliness. FINDINGS All women interviewed experienced at least one type of maltreatment, parental domestic violence, or bullying during childhood. Nearly all experienced IPVA and most had been multi-victimised. Findings indicated a circular pathway: early trauma led to isolation and loneliness, negative labelling and being silenced through negative responses to help seeking, leading to increased experiences of loneliness and intensifying vulnerability to further violence and abuse in young adulthood. The pathway was compounded by intersectionality. Potential ways to break this cycle of loneliness included being heard and supported, especially by teachers. Quantitative analysis confirmed an association between child maltreatment and loneliness in adolescence, and an association between loneliness in adolescence and experience of IPVA in young adult relationships. CONCLUSION It is likely that negative labelling and loneliness mediate pathways to IPVA, especially among more disadvantaged young women. The impact of early maltreatment on young people's wellbeing and own relationships is compounded by disadvantage, disability and ethnicity. Participants' resilience was enabled by support in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Barnes
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
| | - Eszter Szilassy
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Annie Herbert
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Jon Heron
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Gene Feder
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Abigail Fraser
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Laura D Howe
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
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Dowrick A, Feder G, Kelly M. Boundary-Work and the Distribution of Care for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse in Primary Care Settings: Perspectives From U.K. Clinicians. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:1697-1709. [PMID: 33749389 PMCID: PMC8438775 DOI: 10.1177/1049732321998299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Health care encounters are opportunities for primary care practitioners to identify women experiencing domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Increasing DVA support in primary care is a global policy priority but discussion about DVA during consultations remains rare. This article explores how primary care teams in the United Kingdom negotiate the boundaries of their responsibilities for providing DVA support. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 13 general practitioners (GPs) in two urban areas of the United Kingdom. Interviews were analyzed thematically. Analysis focused on the boundary practices participants undertook to establish their professional remit regarding abuse. GPs maintained permeable boundaries with specialist DVA support services. This enabled ongoing negotiation of the role played by clinicians in identifying DVA. This permeability was achieved by limiting the boundaries of the GP role in the care of patients with DVA to identification, with the work of providing support distributed to local specialist DVA agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dowrick
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gene Feder
- University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Moira Kelly
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Kawuma R, Ssemata AS, Bernays S, Seeley J. Women at high risk of HIV-infection in Kampala, Uganda, and their candidacy for PrEP. SSM Popul Health 2021; 13:100746. [PMID: 33604448 PMCID: PMC7873676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), antiretroviral medication for prevention of HIV-acquisition, is part of biomedical HIV prevention strategies recommended for people at risk of HIV-infection. A decision to take PrEP depends on an assessment of 'being at risk' either by an individual, or healthcare provider. In this paper, we draw on the concept of 'candidacy' to examine the different ways in which women attending a dedicated clinic in Kampala, Uganda, for women at risk of HIV infection (including sex workers), assessed their suitability for PrEP. We conducted in-depth interviews with 30 HIV negative women up to four different times, to gather information on the motives for taking PrEP, and their life history and daily life. All the women described the relevance of PrEP to mitigate their risk of HIV infection. However, there were challenges to adherence because of alcohol use, irregular working hours and a fear of being seen taking pills that others might assume to be HIV treatment. The ways in which the different women used PrEP and interpreted the place of PrEP in their lives were not solely based on their assessment of protecting themselves during sex work. They also used PrEP to guard against infection from their regular partners, and as a tool to allow them to make more money safely, by having sex without a condom with clients. While eligibility to access PrEP was predicated on the women's being in an 'at risk' population group, an incentive to use PrEP was to protect themselves from HIV acquisition from a long-term partner and preserve the 'trust' in their intimate relationship by having condom-less sex. Applying a candidacy lens we highlight the complexity in how women experience and present as being 'at risk' and query the criteria on which categories of risk and PrEP eligibility are determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kawuma
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Sarah Bernays
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Domestic abuse among female doctors: thematic analysis of qualitative interviews in the UK. Br J Gen Pract 2021; 71:e193-e200. [PMID: 33558329 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2020.0795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Doctors can be victim-survivors of domestic abuse (DA), but how this impacts their work and wellbeing, and whether they face barriers to seeking help is not well understood. AIM To understand single doctor mothers' lived experience of DA, barriers to seeking help, and impact on their work. DESIGN AND SETTING Individual qualitative interviews with female doctors in the UK who had left an abusive relationship. Interviews were conducted between August 2019 and March 2020. METHOD Participants were invited via a closed online forum for female doctors who are single parents. In total, 114 females expressed interest. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. Transcripts were uploaded to NVivo and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 21 participants were interviewed. The internalised stigma of DA affected participants' sense of identity and belonging as a doctor, causing social and professional isolation. Many participants felt that the acute stress of DA had an impact on their work, yet often felt unable to take time off. Barriers to seeking help included lack of confidentiality, especially where the abusive partner was also a doctor (sometimes accusing the victim-survivor of mental illness or threatening to report them to the General Medical Council). Participants found peer support helpful, as well as consulting health professionals who were empathic towards them. After they had left the abusive relationship victim-survivors felt better equipped to support patients going through DA. CONCLUSION Domestic abuse impacts on the work and wellbeing of female doctors, who face unique barriers to help seeking and reporting DA. An online peer support group can help to break the sense of isolation, but specialised confidential support services are also required to help doctors experiencing DA.
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Pfister A, Koschmieder N, Wyss S. Limited access to family-based addiction prevention services for socio-economically deprived families in Switzerland: a grounded theory study. Int J Equity Health 2020; 19:194. [PMID: 33115492 PMCID: PMC7594279 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-020-01305-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Families living in poor socio-economic circumstances, already confronted with social and health inequalities, are often not reached by family-based addiction prevention services. Besides quantitative models and health literacy approaches, qualitative research is lacking that could shed light on the exact circumstances and processes that lead to hindered addiction prevention service uptake by these families. Drawing on the concept of candidacy, we therefore reconstructed how socio-economically deprived parents and their (pre) adolescent children in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (non-)identified their candidacy for family-based addiction prevention services. Methods Following grounded theory, we collected and analysed data in an iterative-cyclical manner using theoretical sampling and theoretical coding techniques. Sixteen families with children aged 10–14 years were interviewed in depth (parent/s and child separately). All but one family lived below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold. Results Socio-economically deprived families’ modes of recognizing and handling problems in everyday life were found to be core phenomena that structure the process towards (non) identification of candidacy for family-based addiction prevention services. Four modes anchored within socio-demographic resources were found: Families with mode A perceived their current life situation as existentially threatening and focused daily coping on the main pressing problem. Others (mode B) perceived prevalent multiple problems as normal (now); problems were normalized, often not recognized as such. In mode C families, problems were pragmatically recognized at a low threshold and pragmatically dealt with, mostly within the family. In mode D families, problems were constantly produced and dealt with early by the worried and anxious parents monitoring their child. From modes D to A, vulnerability increased concerning non-identification of candidacy for family-based addiction prevention services. Further, thematic relevance of addiction prevention, past experience with offers, integration in systems of assistance, strategies to protect the family, and families’ search for information influenced whether identification of candidacy took place. Conclusions Socio-economically deprived families differ in modes of problem construction and handling in everyday life; this differently opens up or closes routes to family-based addiction prevention. Addiction prevention practice should build on a bundle of diverse strategies for outreach to these families, stressing especially interventions on the structural and environmental level. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-020-01305-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pfister
- Institute of Social Management, Social Policy and Prevention, School of Social Work, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Werftestrasse 1, Postfach 2945, CH-6002, Lucerne, Switzerland.
| | - Nikola Koschmieder
- Institute of Social Management, Social Policy and Prevention, School of Social Work, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Werftestrasse 1, Postfach 2945, CH-6002, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Wyss
- Institute of Social Management, Social Policy and Prevention, School of Social Work, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Werftestrasse 1, Postfach 2945, CH-6002, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Pitt K, Dheensa S, Feder G, Johnson E, Man MS, Roy J, Williamson E, Szilassy E. Sharing reports about domestic violence and abuse with general practitioners: a qualitative interview study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2020; 21:117. [PMID: 32576145 PMCID: PMC7313185 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01171-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is common and damaging to health. UK national guidance advocates a multi-agency response to DVA, and domestic homicide reviews consistently recommend improved information-sharing between agencies. Identification of patients experiencing DVA in general practice may come from external information shared with the practice, such as police incident reports and multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) reports. The aim of this study was to explore the views of general practitioners (GPs) and the police about sharing reports about DVA with GPs. METHODS Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs, police staff and a partnership manager. Participants were located across England and Wales. Thematic analysis was undertaken. RESULTS Interviews were conducted with 23 GPs, six police staff and one former partnership manager. Experiences of information-sharing with GPs about DVA varied. Participants described the relevance and value of external reports to GPs to help address the health consequences of DVA and safeguard patients. They balanced competing priorities when managing this information in the electronic medical record, namely visibility to GPs versus the risk of unintended disclosure to patients. GPs also spoke of the judgements they made about exploring DVA with patients based on external reports, which varied between abusive and non-abusive adults and children. Some felt constrained by short general practice consultations. Some police and GPs reflected on a loss of control when information about DVA was shared between agencies, and the risk of unintended consequences. Both police and GPs highlighted the importance of clear information and a shared understanding about responsibility for action. CONCLUSION GPs regarded external reports about DVA as relevant to their role, but safely recording this information in the electronic medical record and using it to support patients required complex judgements. Both GPs and police staff emphasised the importance of clarity of information and responsibility for action when information was shared between agencies about patients affected by DVA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Pitt
- Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
| | - Sandi Dheensa
- Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Gene Feder
- Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Emma Johnson
- Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Mei-See Man
- Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Jessica Roy
- School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma Williamson
- School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Eszter Szilassy
- Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
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