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Hardeberg Bach M, Ahrens C, Olff M, Armour C, Krogh SS, Hansen M. EHealth for Sexual Assault: A Systematic Scoping Review. Trauma Violence Abuse 2024; 25:102-116. [PMID: 36632639 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221143355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Providing efficient psychosocial support for survivors of sexual assault is of critical societal importance. Around the globe, technology-based solutions (eHealth) are increasingly being used to accomplish this task, especially following COVID-19. Despite increased importance and reliance on eHealth for sexual assault, minimal efforts have been made to systematically synthesize research in this area. The present study therefore sought to synthesize what is known about eHealth targeting sexual assault survivors' psychosocial needs using a systematic scoping review methodology. To this end, five databases (CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Scopus) were systematically searched for studies published from 2010 onwards using terms such as "sexual assault", "eHealth", "digital health", "telehealth", and variations thereof. Of the 6,491 records screened for eligibility, 85 studies were included in the review. We included empirical studies from all countries pertaining to eHealth for sexual assault for survivors 13 years or older. Many innovative eHealth applications for sexual assault exist today, and the included studies suggested that survivors generally experience eHealth positively and seem to benefit from it. Nevertheless, much more clinical and empirical work is needed to ensure accessible and effective solutions for all.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maj Hansen
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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2
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Wagner B, Snoubar Y, Mahdi YS. Access and efficacy of university mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1269010. [PMID: 38174076 PMCID: PMC10761424 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study sought to understand the mental health issues, mental health support and efficacy of that support among university students. Participants All students enrolled in a College of Arts and Sciences at one mid-size university received an email that contained a link to an anonymous, online questionnaire developed and disseminated through PsychData. 162 students completed the questionnaire. Methods Mixed methods: Data was summarized using descriptive analysis, testing for significance, testing for differences, and content analysis. Results Participants reported high levels of anxiety (76%) and depression (65%). Results indicated that participant demographics were associated with types of mental access, and support. Unexpected results included lack of knowledge or information on cost, and how to access mental health services hindered access for participants, and although telehealth was the most widely used support, in contrast to other studies, participants indicated a preference for face-to-face mental health services. Conclusion Results highlight the need for improving communication about and access to mental health services in higher education Recommendations and implications for policy and support services are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly Wagner
- Social Work Department, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Yaser Snoubar
- Social Sciences Department, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Castellanos-Torres E, Sanz-Barbero B, Vives-Cases C. COVID-19 and sexual violence against women: A qualitative study about young people and professionals' perspectives in Spain. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289402. [PMID: 37531382 PMCID: PMC10395938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing awareness of the magnitude of different forms of sexual violence (SV), especially in relation to youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a negative impact on different forms of violence against women. In this study, we aim to analyse SV in the COVID-19 lockdown among young people and SV-related services from the perspective of professionals and young people from different sectors in Spain with responsibilities in attending SV and other forms of violence against women-related. A qualitative content analysis was performed on semi-structured interviews with 23 women and men aged 18 to 24 and 15 professionals working with youth and/or in violence against women or sexual violence related services. The sample was from northern, eastern and central regions of Spain. According to the professionals' experience, the COVID-19 lockdown lessened their ability to work on violence prevention. Both informants perceived that sexual violence had decreased in public spaces whereas it increased in digital ones and noticed the silence surrounding violent situations had deepened. However, they differed regarding its impact on sexual violence within intimate partners, mainly due to the lack of awareness of this problem among young men. In regard to violence against women and sexual violence, our results highlight the need to develop protocols for action and improve resource accessibility in crisis contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Castellanos-Torres
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- National School of Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Casanovas LVL, Serra L, Canals CS, Sanz-Barbero B, Vives-Cases C, López MJ, Otero-García L, Pérez G, Renart-Vicens G. Prevalence of sexual harassment among young Spaniards before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown period in Spain. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1888. [PMID: 36221078 PMCID: PMC9551249 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14264-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual harassment is a type of coercion, including social pressure, intimidation, physical force, and verbal acts, in addition to other forms such as cyber-harassment, recognized as a major important public health problem. Methods This cross-sectional study, based on a survey administered online to men and women aged 18 to 35 years and living in Spain throughout 15th and 28th October 2020, aims to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with sexual harassment among young people in Spain within the last 12 months, particularly according to the COVID-19 lockdown period. It has been conducted by bivariate analysis and robust Poisson regression models. The final sample includes 2.515 participants. Results The results indicate that women were almost twice as likely as men to experience sexual harassment (49% vs 22.2%). Also, among heterosexual men and women, the estimated prevalence was lower concerning that observed among bisexuals, gays, and lesbians (31.5% vs 53, 39.2, and 34.6% respectively). The prevalence percentage in the 18–24 age group was twice high as that observed in the 30–35 age group. Finally, during the lockdown period, the harassment through electronic channels increased (32.6% vs 16.5 and 17.8% before and after this period, respectively) and decreased on public roads (22.9% vs 63.4 and 54.4% pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods, respectively). Conclusion These findings highlight that sexual harassment presents a high prevalence among young people, especially cyber-harassment, and workplace harassment and it is important to be aware that young women are more likely to suffer harassment and even more if they do not have a partner or have LGB orientation. During the lockdown sexual harassment has moved from public spaces to the social network. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14264-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vall-Llosera Casanovas
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, C/ de la Universitat de Girona, 10 17003, Girona, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Serra
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, C/ de la Universitat de Girona, 10 17003, Girona, Spain. .,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carme Saurina Canals
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, C/ de la Universitat de Girona, 10 17003, Girona, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,National School of Health. Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Maria José López
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Otero-García
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Nursing Department. Faculty of Medicine, Autonoma De Madrid University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gloria Pérez
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Renart-Vicens
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, C/ de la Universitat de Girona, 10 17003, Girona, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Potter SJ, Moschella-Smith EA, Lynch M. Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response: Lessons from a Pandemic to Inform Future Efforts. J Interpers Violence 2022; 37:NP15037-NP15057. [PMID: 36073621 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221106191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic forced institutions of higher education to transition and work in ways that were new and innovative. Even though most colleges and universities transitioned to a virtual platform, the issues that students face continued, including sexual violence (SV). For many campus prevention and response professionals, reaching students during the pandemic posed unique challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic began when the project team was 18-months into a 4-year grant to administer and evaluate the efficacy of a SV prevention and response app, uSafeUS®, at 15 4-year colleges. In this paper, we describe the transition of engaging students with the app in traditional in-person settings to remote and hybrid learning settings. The project team, in collaboration with the campus partners, devised new ways to use the app to support victims of SV and their allies, along with campus professionals in their efforts to support students. These efforts included changes to collaboration (e.g., virtual platforms) and student engagement strategies. We describe how the lessons learned from this transition are important for continuing to engage campus communities in SV prevention and response, even as campuses slowly transitioned back to hybrid and in-person activities. The knowledge gained from this transition are attributable to an ongoing and open collaboration between campus practitioners and the project team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharyn J Potter
- Prevention Innovations Research Center, 3067University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | | | - Michelle Lynch
- Prevention Innovations Research Center, 3067University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
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Ehman AC, Gross AM. Keyboard coercion: Online and face-to-face sexual aggression in a college sample. J Am Coll Health 2022:1-10. [PMID: 35658095 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2081509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This work sought to assess relationships between sexually aggressive behavior occurring through the use of technology and social media, perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior, and face-to-face sexual aggression and coercion. Participants: Participants were 663 undergraduate students (73.1% Female). Methods: Participants completed measures assessing perceived social norms of sexually aggressive strategies, personal sexual strategies used, alcohol use, cyberbullying, sexual victimization, personal wellbeing, and socially desirable responding. Results: Thirty percent of participants reported engaging in some form of sexually aggressive behavior offline; 15.6% endorsed engaging in sexual cyberbullying. However, 100% of participants endorsed the belief that their peers were engaging in some form of sexually aggressive behavior either online or offline. Conditional process modeling revealed a significant indirect effect of perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior on face-to-face sexual aggression via sexual cyberbullying (b = .0015, p < .001, 95% CI [.0030, .0110]), indicating mediation. Conclusions: The present work highlights the importance of further research in the domain of sexual cyberbullying.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan M Gross
- University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
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Su Z, Cheshmehzangi A, Mcdonnell D, Chen H, Ahmad J, Šegalo S, da Veiga CP. Technology-Based Mental Health Interventions for Domestic Violence Victims Amid COVID-19. IJERPH 2022; 19:4286. [PMID: 35409967 PMCID: PMC8998837 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Domestic violence is a threat to human dignity and public health. Mounting evidence shows that domestic violence erodes personal and public health, spawning issues such as lifelong mental health challenges. To further compound the situation, COVID-19 and societies’ poor response to the pandemic have not only worsened the domestic violence crisis but also disrupted mental health services for domestic violence victims. While technology-based health solutions can overcome physical constraints posed by the pandemic and offer timely support to address domestic violence victims’ mental health issues, there is a dearth of research in the literature. To bridge the research gap, in this study, we aim to examine technology-based mental health solutions for domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine solutions that domestic violence victims can utilize to safeguard and improve their mental health amid COVID-19. Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were utilized for the literature search. The search was focused on four themes: domestic violence, mental health, technology-based interventions, and COVID-19. A reverse search of pertinent references was conducted in Google Scholar. The social ecological model was utilized to systematically structure the review findings. Results: The findings show that a wide array of technology-based solutions has been proposed to address mental health challenges faced by domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. However, none of these proposals is based on empirical evidence amid COVID-19. In terms of social and ecological levels of influence, most of the interventions were developed on the individual level, as opposed to the community level or social level, effectively placing the healthcare responsibility on the victims rather than government and health officials. Furthermore, most of the articles failed to address risks associated with utilizing technology-based interventions (e.g., privacy issues) or navigating the online environment (e.g., cyberstalking). Conclusion: Overall, our findings highlight the need for greater research endeavors on the research topic. Although technology-based interventions have great potential in resolving domestic violence victims’ mental health issues, risks associated with these health solutions should be comprehensively acknowledged and addressed.
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Abstract
Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) is a significant public health issue that includes physical, sexual, psychological and cyber abuse, reproductive coercion, and/or sexual exploitation within an intimate relationship in which one or both partners is a minor. ARA is associated with numerous negative outcomes that include all domains of health. Many negative outcomes of ARA are related to reproductive and sexual health (RSH); thus, reproductive health care providers must be equipped to recognize and address ARA. This article will review the epidemiology and outcomes of ARA, followed by a discussion of means to robustly address ARA in health care settings. We recommend a strengths-based approach that promotes healthy adolescent relationships, connects adolescents experiencing ARA to harm reduction resources, and equips adolescents to serve as a resource for their peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya I. Ragavan
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh/Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Romina L. Barral
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA; University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA; University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Randell
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Mercy Kansas City; University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA; University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
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