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PeerJ 2023Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue that consists of physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetrated by a current or former...
BACKGROUND
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue that consists of physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetrated by a current or former partner. Informal supporters (, family and friends) of survivors are more often witness to IPV or are the first people a survivor will disclose abuse to and are more able to provide consistent ongoing support than professional services. Therefore, greater understanding of informal supporters is warranted to aid in reducing the risks experienced by survivors. This systematic review aimed to: (1) identify factors associated with either an increase or decrease in helping behaviour toward a survivor, (2), identify the most effective self-care strategies employed by informal supporters, and (3) consider the current theoretical approaches used to understand informal supporters help-giving behavioural intention.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The search included English language articles published between 2005 and 2021 in the databases Psych Articles, Scopus, Proquest Social Services Abstracts, and Ebscohost. Studies were included if the primary research aims explored the motivators and inhibitors of helping intention or self-care strategies of adult social network members of adult IPV survivors. Two reviewers independently screened all identified articles for inclusion suitability.
RESULTS
One hundred and twenty articles were subjected to full text screening resulting in 31 articles being identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Synthesis of the findings identified the following three key areas associated with help-giving behavioural intentions: normative factors, individual factors, and situational factors. There were no articles identified that considered self-care of informal supporters. Of the 31 articles, 22 had a theoretical underpinning. None of the utilised theories explained all three of the identified factors of help-giving behavioural intention.
CONCLUSION
These results are integrated into a proposed Intimate Partner Violence Model of Informal Supporter Readiness (IPV-MISR), incorporating the identified factors associated with help-giving behavioural intention. This model provides a framework for conceptualising the readiness of an informal supporter to provide adequate support to IPV survivors. The model extends existing theoretical standpoints and has utility in both practice and research.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Violence; Sexual Behavior; Survivors; Public Health
PubMed: 37187522
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15160 -
Brain and Behavior Jun 2023Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are proposed to increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life. This systematic review aimed to explore the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are proposed to increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life. This systematic review aimed to explore the correlation between ACEs and MS development, age of onset, quality of life in MS patients and MS relapse rates.
METHODS
We searched a total of six databases in June 2022 and retrieved the relevant studies. The population included adult (18+) individuals who either had been diagnosed or were at risk for developing MS and also had exposure to ACEs. Our primary outcomes include the risks of MS development, age of MS onset, and MS relapse rate in patients who were exposed to different types of ACEs.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies were included in our review. A study reported that among 300 women diagnosed with MS, 71 (24%) reported a history of childhood abuse; moreover, with further research, it was concluded that ACEs were associated with the development of MS. Abuse that occurred 2-3 times per week was associated with an 18.81-fold increased risk of having MS when compared to the unexposed sample. The relapse rate of MS was found to be substantially greater in severe cases of ACEs compared to individuals who did not report any ACEs.
CONCLUSIONS
Results support a significant association between ACEs and the development of MS; individuals with a positive history of ACEs develop MS symptoms earlier. Moreover, the severity of ACEs is also linked with increased relapse rates of MS.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Child; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Quality of Life; Multiple Sclerosis; Child Abuse; Life Change Events
PubMed: 37128143
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3024 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jan 2024This systematic review sought to describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among immigrants in the United States (U.S.) and the prevalence... (Review)
Review
This systematic review sought to describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among immigrants in the United States (U.S.) and the prevalence of IPV perpetration among immigrants in the U.S. PsycInfo, PubMed, Global Health and Scopus databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature that quantitatively examined IPV in relation to immigration. Twenty-four articles were included in the final review. Past-year IPV victimization rates among immigrants ranged from 3.8% to 46.9% and lifetime IPV victimization rates ranged from 13.9% to 93%; past-year IPV perpetration rates ranged from 3.0% to 24.8% and the one lifetime IPV perpetration rate was 12.8%. Estimates varied widely by country of origin, type of violence measured, and measure used to quantify IPV. Reliance on small convenience samples is problematic when trying to determine the true prevalence of IPV among immigrants. Epidemiological research is needed to improve the accuracy and representativeness of findings.
Topics: Humans; United States; Emigration and Immigration; Intimate Partner Violence; Crime Victims; Emigrants and Immigrants; Bullying
PubMed: 37078533
DOI: 10.1177/15248380231165690 -
The Ocular Surface Apr 2023Societal factors associated with ocular surface diseases were mapped using a framework to characterize the relationship between the individual, their health and...
Societal factors associated with ocular surface diseases were mapped using a framework to characterize the relationship between the individual, their health and environment. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating factors on ocular surface diseases were considered in a systematic review. Age and sex effects were generally well-characterized for inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune and trauma-related conditions. Sex and gender, through biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors impact the prevalence and severity of disease, access to, and use of, care. Genetic factors, race, smoking and co-morbidities are generally well characterized, with interdependencies with geographical, employment and socioeconomic factors. Living and working conditions include employment, education, water and sanitation, poverty and socioeconomic class. Employment type and hobbies are associated with eye trauma and burns. Regional, global socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions, include remoteness, geography, seasonality, availability of and access to services. Violence associated with war, acid attacks and domestic violence are associated with traumatic injuries. The impacts of conflict, pandemic and climate are exacerbated by decreased food security, access to health services and workers. Digital technology can impact diseases through physical and mental health effects and access to health information and services. The COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigating strategies are mostly associated with an increased risk of developing new or worsening existing ocular surface diseases. Societal factors impact the type and severity of ocular surface diseases, although there is considerable interdependence between factors. The overlay of the digital environment, natural disasters, conflict and the pandemic have modified access to services in some regions.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Pandemics; COVID-19; Socioeconomic Factors; Poverty; Life Style
PubMed: 37062429
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.04.006 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Smartphone applications or apps are increasingly being produced to help with protection against the risk of domestic violence. There is a need to formally evaluate their... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Smartphone applications or apps are increasingly being produced to help with protection against the risk of domestic violence. There is a need to formally evaluate their features.
OBJECTIVE
This study systematically reviewed app-based interventions for domestic violence prevention, which will be helpful for app developers.
METHODS
We overviewed all apps concerning domestic violence awareness and prevention without language restrictions, collating information about features and limitations. We conducted searches in Google, the Google Play Store, and the App Store (iOS) covering a 10-year time period (2012-2022). We collected data related to the apps from the developers' descriptions, peer reviewed research articles, critical reviews in blogs, news articles, and other online sources.
RESULTS
The search identified 621 potentially relevant apps of which 136 were selected for review. There were five app categories: emergency assistance ( = 61, 44.9%), avoidance ( = 29, 21.3%), informative ( = 29, 21.3%), legal information ( = 10, 7.4%), and self-assessment ( = 7, 5.1%). Over half the apps ( = 97, 71%) were released in 2020-22. Around a half were from north-east America ( = 63, 46.3%). Where emergency alerts existed, they required triggering by the potential victim. There was no automation. Content analysis showed 20 apps with unique features, including geo-fences, accelerometer-based alert, shake-based alert, functionality under low resources, alert auto-cancellation, anonymous communication, and data encryption. None of the apps deployed artificial intelligence to assist the potential victims.
CONCLUSIONS
Apps currently have many limitations. Future apps should focus on automation, making better use of artificial intelligence deploying multimedia (voice, video, image capture, text and sentiment analysis), speech recognition, and pitch detection to aid in live analysis of the situation and for accurately generating emergency alerts.
Topics: Mobile Applications; Artificial Intelligence; Domestic Violence; North America; Smartphone
PubMed: 37047862
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075246 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jan 2024Negative, destructive, and abusive behaviors in romantic relationships can vary from explicit kinds of abuse and aggression to more subtle and seemingly innocuous... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Negative, destructive, and abusive behaviors in romantic relationships can vary from explicit kinds of abuse and aggression to more subtle and seemingly innocuous slights against or ways of treating a partner. However, regardless of the severity or explicit nature, these behaviors all, to one extent or another, reflect acts of invalidation, disrespect, aggression, or neglect toward a partner, and could be considered maltreatment of a partner. The current paper proposes the term as a broad overarching concept, which was used to facilitate a meta-analytic synthesis of the literature to examine the associations between attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance) and perpetration of partner maltreatment. Additionally, this paper situated partner maltreatment within an attachment-based diathesis-stress perspective to explore the moderating role of stress. Five databases were systematically searched for published and unpublished studies that examined the direct association between perpetrator's adult attachment orientation and perpetration of partner maltreatment behaviors. We synthesized effect sizes from 139 studies ( = 38,472) and found the effect between attachment insecurity and acts of partner maltreatment varied between = .11 to .21. Our findings provide meta-analytic evidence to suggest that attachment insecurity is a significant individual vulnerability factor (diathesis) associated with partner maltreatment; and that when individuals with an insecure attachment orientation experience stress, the tendency to perpetrate partner maltreatment is typically heightened. The findings of this meta-analysis provide empirical evidence for the importance of considering and addressing contextual factors, especially stress, for those individuals and couples seeking therapy for partner maltreatment.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Disease Susceptibility; Aggression; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Child Abuse
PubMed: 37036150
DOI: 10.1177/15248380231161012 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jan 2024Economic stress, broadly defined, is associated with an increased likelihood of multiple forms of violence. Food insecurity is a distinct economic stressor and material... (Review)
Review
Economic stress, broadly defined, is associated with an increased likelihood of multiple forms of violence. Food insecurity is a distinct economic stressor and material hardship that is amenable to programmatic and policy intervention. To inform intervention and identify gaps in the current evidence base, we conducted a systematic review to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature regarding the association between food insecurity and five forms of interpersonal and self-directed violence: intimate partner violence (IPV), suicidality, peer violence and bullying, youth dating violence, and child maltreatment, in high-income countries. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and searched six electronic databases from their start date through February of 2022. We included studies that examined food insecurity as the exposure and an outcome measure of IPV, suicide, suicidality, peer violence, bullying, youth dating violence, or child maltreatment; were peer-reviewed and published in English; reported quantitative data; and took place in a high-income country. We identified 20 relevant studies. Nineteen studies found that food insecurity was associated with an increased likelihood of these forms of violence. Results highlight the potential for programs and policies that address food insecurity to function as primary prevention strategies for multiple forms of violence and underscore the importance of trauma-informed approaches in organizations providing food assistance. Additional theory-driven research with validated measures of food insecurity and clearly established temporality between measures of food insecurity and violence is needed to strengthen the existing evidence base.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Violence; Intimate Partner Violence; Child Abuse; Bullying; Food Insecurity
PubMed: 37009984
DOI: 10.1177/15248380231165689 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023The objectives of the present manuscript were to review the literature on stigma toward survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and to identify the most widely used... (Review)
Review
The objectives of the present manuscript were to review the literature on stigma toward survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and to identify the most widely used assessment techniques to investigate this issue. The PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the systematic review was registered in PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42022327410. PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched. Two authors selected and extracted data from eligible studies. In total, 4220 hits were returned from the database search, and of them, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. The articles included in the review confirm the presence of stigma toward IPV survivors, which can be divided into public stigma and self-stigma. Specifically, 17 studies were related only to public stigma, 1 study focused only on self-stigma, and 6 articles investigated aspects related to both public and self-stigma. Both qualitative and quantitative studies have been conducted on this topic. The considerations on the methodologies and assessment measures used in the included studies will be discussed in the results section. Based on the research included, it was possible to develop a contribution to the definition of stigma, which will be discussed in the article.
PubMed: 36975219
DOI: 10.3390/bs13030194 -
Journal of Advanced Nursing May 2023The objective of this integrative review was to critically synthesize the evidence on protective factors in early childhood that buffer the effects of exposure to... (Review)
Review
AIM
The objective of this integrative review was to critically synthesize the evidence on protective factors in early childhood that buffer the effects of exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) on young children's health outcomes.
METHODS
Studies were eligible for inclusion in this review if the article was (a) in English, (b) title or abstract discussed protective factors, buffering, resilience or mitigating factors in early childhood for young children who experienced IPV.
RESULTS
A total of 23 articles of 492 manuscripts identified from the search from peer-reviewed journals from 2010 to 2022 were included. Individual-level protective factors for young children exposed to IPV and include emotional self-regulation, child temperament and child self-esteem. Family-level protective factors were maternal physical and mental health; warm, responsive parenting; knowledge of child development; socioeconomic advantage; caregiver employment; and maternal education.
CONCLUSION
The results of this integrative review highlight the critical importance of a dyadic approach to early childhood intervention. Health and legal systems should not only focus solely on pathology of family violence but also conceptualize treatment and courses of action from a strength-based perspective in order to empower victims of IPV, and promote the safety, health and well-being of children. Future research should examine the role of system-level protective factors.
IMPACT
This review adds to the growing body of the evidence of positive relational health as a key social determinant of health for children. This will be foundational to design interventions that shield children from further harm and promote health, flourishing and recovery from violence and trauma.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Protective Factors; Health Promotion; Intimate Partner Violence; Domestic Violence; Parenting; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 36938995
DOI: 10.1111/jan.15638 -
Cureus Feb 2023Child abuse is a global problem for public health as it negatively affects people and society. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associates the... (Review)
Review
Child abuse is a global problem for public health as it negatively affects people and society. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associates the adverse experience during childhood with a series of long-term impacts on health. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of child abuse on females' health, including physical, mental, and social health. The methodology used in this specific review is to carry out a systematic search in electronic databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Crossref) in published articles between 2004 and 2021. The exclusion criteria were all review papers, such as literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We also excluded papers that were not written in the English language. Consequently, the inclusion criteria were written in English, original articles, and prospective, case-control, cross-sectional studies that investigated childhood abuse of girls and the health effects in adulthood. Initially, from a total of 796 papers returned by the search, 415 were rejected due to duplicate articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. In addition, 316 articles were rejected due to nonrelevance to the study's subject. However, from the first 796 papers, 18 met the conditions to be included in the review. We found that females exposed to childhood abuse were more likely to suffer from eating disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, phobias, paranoid ideation and psychoticism, early menarche, sleep disorders, metabolism disorders, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, chronic pain, and early mortality, which are physical and mental conditions in females' adulthood related to child abuse. The conclusions of this work show that it is a primary need to give emphasis on combating child abuse and timely management when this is a fact.
PubMed: 36938260
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34981