Evaluating the Mental Health of Jordanian Women in Relationships with Intimate Partner Abuse

This study evaluated the mental health consequences of abuse among Jordanian women and tested the effectiveness of using cognitive behavioral interventions to change the level of depression and level of stress among Jordanian women experiencing intimate partner abuse (IPA). A mixed methods design using phenomenology and quasi-experimental research data collection and analysis was implemented. The most commonly reported form of abuse was psychological abuse. Prior to cognitive behavioral intervention, participants demonstrated moderate to severe levels of depression, low levels of perceived social support, moderate to high levels of self-efficacy, and used approach coping skills more frequently than avoidance coping. Cognitive behavioral interventions resulted in decreased depression (p = .003) and decreased stress levels, although this finding did not reach significance (p > .05). Cognitive behavioral interventions are effective interventions when working with women experiencing IPA.     

Symptoms of PTSD and Major Depression in Latinas Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

The purpose of this study was to describe symptoms of PTSD and major depression in abused Latinas and to explore the relationships among intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences, these symptoms, and health related quality of life (HRQOL). The rate of PTSD was 69.7%% and of major depressive disorder (MDD) was 57.6%%. The comorbidity of PTSD and MDD was 54.5%%. PTSD and MDD were not consistently correlated with IPV, although some significant relationships were found. PTSD and MDD symptoms were highly correlated with HRQOL. The impact of PTSD and MDD on psychological well-being and functioning in Latinas needs further investigation.     

Disordered Eating among African American and African Caribbean Women: The Influence of Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, and PTSD

We assessed the influence of intimate partner violence (IPV), depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on disordered eating patterns (DE) among women of African descent through a comparative case-control study (N = 790) in Baltimore, MD, and St. Thomas and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, from 2009-2011. IPV, depression and PTSD were independent risk factors in the full sample. The relationship between IPV and DE was partially mediated by depression. The influence of risk for lethality from violence was fully mediated by depression. IPV should be considered in research and treatment of DE and both IPV and DE should be assessed when the other or depression is detected.     

Disordered Eating among African American and African Caribbean Women: The Influence of Intimate Partner Violence,Depression, and PTSD

We assessed the influence of intimate partner violence (IPV), depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on disordered eating patterns (DE) among women of African descent through a comparative case-control study (N = 790) in Baltimore, MD, and St. Thomas and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, from 2009–2011. IPV, depression and PTSD were independent risk factors in the full sample. The relationship between IPV and DE was partially mediated by depression. The influence of risk for lethality from violence was fully mediated by depression. IPV should be considered in research and treatment of DE and both IPV and DE should be assessed when the other or depression is detected.     

Intimate Partner Violence,Depression, and Resource Availability Among a Community Sample of Hispanic Women

This study investigated the relationships among resource availability, IPV, and depression among Hispanic community-dwelling women. The Vulnerable Population's Conceptual Framework () was used to conceptualize and test relationships among these variables. Cross-sectional questionnaires assessed resource availability (i.e., income, education, employment, insurance status, and self-esteem), depressive symptoms (CES-D), and intimate partner violence (IPV) by a current/recent partner. Linear and logistic regressions were conducted to explore relationship among variables. Although most of the relationships among resource availability, IPV, and depression supported the conceptual framework, the importance of incorporating additional cultural, relationship, and social factors are stressed.     

Assessing Intimate Partner Abuse: Associated Factors and Health Consequences among Jordanian Women

In this cross-sectional study, we assessed levels and types of psychological and physical intimate partner abuse (IPA), and the association of IPA with socio-demographic factors and health consequences. The Abusive Behavior Inventory was completed by 471 Jordanian women. IPA was higher among older women who were: of older age, of younger age at marriage, married to unemployed spouses, living in urban residence, and of lower educational level. IPA was associated with most of the health problems except dental injuries and burns. We recommend educational programs that raise women's awareness to their rights to education, free choices in marital age, and policies that mitigate IPA in Jordan and similar patriarchal societies.     

Development of a Brief Mental Health Screen for Intimate Partner Violence Victims in the Emergency Department

Background: Emergency physicians routinely treat victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and patients with mental health symptoms, although these issues may be missed without routine screening. In addition, research has demonstrated a strong association between IPV victimization and mental health symptoms.
Objectives: To develop a brief mental health screen that could be used feasibly in an emergency department to screen IPV victims for depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and suicidal ideation.
Methods: The authors conducted a pretest/posttest validation study of female IPV victims to determine what questions from the Beck Depression Inventory II, Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation would predict moderate to severe levels of depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation. A principal components factor analysis was conducted to determine which questions would be used in the brief mental health screen. Scatter plots were then created to determine a cut point.
Results: Scores on the brief mental health screen ranged from 0 to 8. A cutoff score of 4 was used, which resulted in positive predictive values of 96% for the brief mental health screen for depression, 84% for PTSD symptoms, and 54% for suicidal ideation. In particular, four questions about sadness, experiencing a traumatic event, the desire to live, and the desire to commit suicide were associated with moderate to severe mental health symptoms in IPV victims.
Conclusions: The brief mental health screen provides a tool that could be used in an emergency department setting and predicted those IPV victims with moderate to severe mental health symptoms. Using this tool can assist emergency physicians in recognizing at-risk patients and referring these IPV victims to mental health services.     

Listening to Filipina Women: Perceptions,Responses and Needs Regarding Intimate Partner Violence

Interpersonal violence (IPV) is a complex issue effecting women worldwide. Reported rates of IPV vary widely from one cultural group to another (Magnussen et al., ; Tjaden & Thoennes, ). This paper presents a community based participatory research (CBPR) study of the perceptions, responses, and needs of Filipina women regarding IPV. Data was collected by using interviews and focus groups. The women believed that it was their responsibility to keep the family intact regardless of IPV and did not realize that IPV has a significant negative impact on the mental health and well-being of both women and their children. Immigrant Filipino women may be particularly at risk of IPV.     

The Effectiveness of Empowerment Program on Increasing Self-Esteem,Learned Resourcefulness,and Coping Ways in Women Exposed to Domestic Violence

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of empowerment program on increasing self-esteem, learned resourcefulness, and coping ways in women exposed to domestic violence. This experimental study was conducted between October 2012 and June 2014 in the obstetrics and gynaecology departments of the Giresun Maternity Hospital, and at the Family Counseling Center (FCC) in Turkey. Sixty women who agreed to participate in the study were randomly assigned into two groups. Data were collected by the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), The Rosenbaum's Learned Resourcefulness Scale (RLRS), and the Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI). The assessment of the women before and after the empowerment program showed that women in the intervention group showed significant improvements in the SEI, RLRS, and WCI scores compared with controls. These results suggest that the empowerment program is an effective practice for increasing the levels of self-esteem, learned resourcefulness, and coping ways of women exposed to domestic violence.     

The Role of Public Health Nurses in Responding to Abused Women

Abstract The public health nurse (PHN) has a unique opportunity to identify and provide support to women who are abused by their partners. Earlier studies indicated, however that health professionals identify less than 10% of the abused women in their practice. In this study, a sample of 125 nurses responded to a measure called the Public Health Nurse's Response to Women Who Are Abused (PHNR), which consists of a vignette portraying a home visit to a young mother who showed indicators of abuse. The average PHNR score obtained was 80.8% indicating a high frequency of thoughts, feelings, and interventions that would facilitate abused women feeling helped. High scores were correlated with increased age, personal experience, number of years of public health experience, and workshop attendance. The PHNs' responses to open-ended questions revealed that they experienced a wide range of strong emotions in dealing with these dangerous situations. While the nurses believed that addressing abuse was within their professional role, 55% were unsure of what to say to initiate the topic. Suggestions about how to introduce the subject of family violence and the training needs of PHNs are presented.     

The Process,Outcomes, and Challenges of Feasibility Studies Conducted in Partnership With Stakeholders: A Health Intervention for Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Feasibility studies play a crucial role in determining whether complex, community‐based interventions should be subject to efficacy testing. Reports of such studies often focus on efficacy potential but less often examine other elements of feasibility, such as acceptance by clients and professionals, practicality, and system integration, which are critical to decisions for proceeding with controlled efficacy testing. Although stakeholder partnership in feasibility studies is widely suggested to facilitate the research process, strengthen relevance, and increase knowledge transfer, little is written about how this occurs or its consequences and outcomes. We began to address these gaps in knowledge in a feasibility study of a health intervention for women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) conducted in partnership with policy, community and practitioner stakeholders. We employed a mixed‐method design, combining a single‐group, pre‐post intervention study with 52 survivors of IPV, of whom 42 completed data collection, with chart review data and interviews of 18 purposefully sampled participants and all 9 interventionists. We assessed intervention feasibility in terms of acceptability, demand, practicality, implementation, adaptation, integration, and efficacy potential. Our findings demonstrate the scope of knowledge attainable when diverse elements of feasibility are considered, as well as the benefits and challenges of partnership. The implications of diverse perspectives on knowledge transfer are discussed. Our findings show the importance of examining elements of feasibility for complex community‐based health interventions as a basis for determining whether controlled intervention efficacy testing is justified and for refining both the intervention and the research design. © 2015 The Authors. Research in Nursing & Health published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.