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Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts

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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Factors and Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 11210

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Isabel Cuadrado-Gordillo

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: public health; violence; dating violence; sexism; gender stereotypes; environmental influences; psychosocial implications; victimization; maladjusted behavior
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Guadalupe Martín-Mora Parra

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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are talking about a social phenomenon with multiple and different dimensions which is considered a public health problem of first order by international organizations and governments. The violence that takes place in the context of couple relationships has become a focus of growing interest for researchers and professionals from different various fields that requires a comprehensive approach, and coordination with different professionals and institutions. It is important to recognize that prevention must be based on community development that favors changes in attitude, values, and behaviors regarding the equality of women and men in society and in all contexts.

The consequences that this phenomenon has on the victims, but also on aggressors, are serious enough to justify the multiple investigations focused on the topic.

In the literature, a strong heterogeneity of variables has been linked with this phenomenon (previous history of abuses, sexism, normalization of violence, culture, etc.) in different ways. This heterogeneity can be assumed to have a positive impact in the prevention of abuse and health problems; however, to date, the actions taken have not been sufficient. This certainly leads to a need to adopt a broader approach that includes all the social agents.

In view of the above, investigations focused on different contexts, social agents, and the way young people are affected by the variables linked to the phenomenon and how they interact, modifying the way teenagers see romantic relationships and violence are important to detect not only risk and protector factors, but to promote physical, emotional, and psychological health.

We are pleased to invite you to provide studies and researchers which focus on this important topic. In this Special Issue, original research and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Prevention and promotion of health; protector factors and risk factors;
Consequences of victimization at social, emotional, and behavioral level (anxiety, depression, suicide);
Social media influence; cyber teen dating violence, emotional dependence and control, insecurities, sexist attitudes, and stereotypes, sexualization, and risk behaviors on the internet;
Prevention of dating violence in healthcare settings; recognition, detection, and attention (role played by professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, and educators, witnesses, friends, and family);
Victimization and gender differences; male and female victims, risks, types of violence, seek of help, and consequences;
Occupational mental health of professionals specializing in the care of victims; stress and burnout, job engagement, human resources, and needs.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Isabel Cuadrado-Gordillo
Dr. Guadalupe Martín-Mora Parra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

teen dating violence
health
risk factors
prevention factors
social media
consequences
gender differences
victims
aggressors

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Child Welfare Investigations of Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence Referred by Medical Professionals in Ontario: A Uniquely Vulnerable Population?

by Nicolette Joh-Carnella, Eliza Livingston, Jill Stoddart and Barbara Fallon

Healthcare 2023, 11(18), 2599; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182599 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 687

Abstract

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their children may be at an increased risk for negative health outcomes and may present to healthcare settings. The objective of the current study is to examine the profile of medical-referred child welfare investigations of exposure to IPV in Ontario, Canada. Data from the Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2018 were used. We compared medical-referred investigations with all other investigations of exposure to IPV. Descriptive and bivariate analyses as well as a logistic regression predicting transfers to ongoing services were conducted. Six percent of investigations of exposure to IPV conducted in Ontario in 2018 were referred by a medical source. Compared to other investigations of exposure to IPV, these investigations were more likely to involve younger children (p = 0.005), caregivers with mental health issues (p < 0.001) and few social supports (p = 0.004), and households noted to be overcrowded (p = 0.001). After controlling for clinical case characteristics, investigations of exposure to IPV referred by healthcare sources were 3.452 times as likely to be kept open for ongoing child welfare services compared to those referred by other sources (95% CI [2.024, 5.886]; p < 0.001). Children and their families who are identified in healthcare settings for concerns of exposure to IPV tend to receive extended child welfare intervention compared to those identified elsewhere. There is a clear difference in service provision in healthcare-originating investigations of exposure to IPV versus investigations originating from other sources. Further research into the services provided to victims of IPV and their children is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

15 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Victimization among Gay and Bisexual Men: A Preliminary Study in Spain

by Xavier Calvet and Leonor M. Cantera

Healthcare 2023, 11(18), 2496; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182496 - 8 Sep 2023

Viewed by 960

Abstract

Sexual violence is an understudied issue in the population of gay and bisexual men, although the existing articles to date demonstrate that it is a problem that merits public attention. This study aims to approach the problem of invisibility around the matter, as well as presenting a number of variables that have been usually overlooked in Spanish research or have not been assessed at all. Lifetime sexual victimization, sociodemographic characteristics, situational characteristics and social support were examined among 550 gay and bisexual males living in Spain using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results analysis show that 90.00% (87.18–92.38%) of participants reported at least one experience of unwanted insinuation, 87.27% (84.19–89.94%) reported at least one experience of sexual coercion, 64.00% (59.83–68.02%) reported at least one experience of sexual assault, and specifically 19.82% (16.57–23.40%) reported being raped during their lifetime. Significant differences have been found between some categories regarding gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race/ethnicity and educational level. Overall, these results showcase sexual violence as a pervasive problem in the Spanish gay and bisexual community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

14 pages, 744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Youth Dating Violence, Behavioral Sensitivity, and Emotional Intelligence: A Mediation Analysis

by María Pilar Salguero-Alcañiz, Ana Merchán-Clavellino and Jose Ramón Alameda-Bailén

Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2445; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172445 - 31 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 922

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing psychological, physical, and sexual components. Violence in young couples is common in our society. This kind of violence is usually bidirectional, which adds to its complexity. This study aimed to explore how victimization (in three dimensions: non-abuse, technical mistreatment, and mistreatment) and perpetration (in two dimensions: non-perpetrator and perpetrator) are related to the BIS (Behavioral Inhibition System)/BAS (Behavioral Approach System), and it also evaluated if the dimensions of emotional intelligence (EI) (emotional attention, clarity, and regulation) mediate this relationship. Violence was evaluated in 272 young volunteer participants, as well as BIS/BAS behavioral sensitivity and perceived emotional intelligence. The correlations between these variables were analyzed, and a mediation analysis was also conducted. The results show that victimization (of the sexual and coercive type) was associated with less BAS activation, while victimization (of the sexual, humiliation, and detachment types) was associated with less BIS activity. All types of victimization were associated with less EI, specifically with less emotional clarity. Aggression (of the sexual, humiliation, detachment, and coercion types) was related to lower BAS and higher BIS sensitivity. Detachment aggression was associated with low emotional clarity. In conclusion, relationships between victimization and perpetration are evidenced in terms of BIS/BAS sensitivity and EI. Specifically, the dimension of EI emotional clarity acts as a mediator of BIS activation in victims of detachment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

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15 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Sexual Violence on Quality of Life and Mental Wellbeing in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adolescents and Young Adults: A Mixed-Methods Approach

by Aisa Burgwal, Jara Van Wiele and Joz Motmans

Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2281; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162281 - 13 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 925

Abstract

Transgender (trans) and gender-diverse (GD) adolescents and young adults have remained largely invisible in health research. Previous research shows worse outcomes in health indicators for trans and GD people, compared to cisgender controls. Research on the impact of sexual violence focuses on mainly cisgender female adult victims. This study assessed the impact of sexual violence on the quality of life (QoL) and mental wellbeing (GHQ-12) among trans and GD adolescents and young adults, while taking into account the possible role of gender nonconformity in sexual violence and mental wellbeing. An online, anonymous survey and interviews/focus groups were conducted between October 2021 and May 2022 in Belgium. Multiple analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used to assess the associations between sexual violence, mental wellbeing, and gender nonconformity, while controlling for different background variables (gender identity, sexual orientation, age, economic vulnerability, etc.). The interviews and focus groups were used to validate associations between variables that were hypothesized as important. The quantitative sample consisted of 110 respondents between 15 and 25 years old, with 30 trans respondents (27.3%) and 80 GD respondents (72.7%). A total of 73.6% reported experiences with sexual violence over the past two years (n = 81). The mean QoL score was 5.3/10, and the mean GHQ-12 score was 6.6/12. Sexual violence was not significantly associated with QoL (p = 0.157) and only marginally significantly associated with GHQ-12 (p = 0.05). Changing one’s physical appearance to conform to gender norms, out of fear of getting attacked, discriminated against, or harassed was significantly associated with QoL (p = 0.009) and GHQ-12 (p = 0.041). The association between sexual violence and changing one’s physical appearance to conform to gender norms was analyzed, to assess a possible mediation effect of sexual violence on mental wellbeing. No significant association was found (p = 0.261). However, the interviews suggest that sexual violence is associated with changing one’s physical appearance, but this association is not limited to only trans and GD victims of sexual violence. Non-victims also adjust their appearance, out of fear of future sexual victimization. Together with the high proportion of sexual violence, as well as the lower average QoL and higher average GHQ-12 scores among trans and GD adolescents and young adults, compared to general population statistics, this highlights the need for policy makers to create more inclusive environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

15 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Claudia Sánchez and Cecilia Mota

Healthcare 2023, 11(13), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131959 - 7 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1085

Abstract

This is a study on indicators related to marital dissatisfaction. The research was conducted by the psychology department of a reproductive health institution in Mexico City. The objective was to know the relation between marital satisfaction/dissatisfaction and gender roles, self-esteem, the types of coping strategies and the types of violence perceived from the partner. It was a nonexperimental, retrospective, cross-sectional study of two samples—one of women and one of men—classified by marital satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The nonprobability quota sampling included 208 participants: 104 women and 104 men. Comparisons, correlations and a discriminant analysis were made to identify the most significant variables. Women with marital dissatisfaction perceived blackmail, psychological violence and humiliation/devaluation from their partner; they preferably adopt a submissive gender role and use escape/avoidance as a coping strategy, and so do the men with marital dissatisfaction, who also perceived blackmail, control and psychological violence from their partner; they have low self-esteem, and they preferably adopt a submissive gender role. Isolating factors will allow for more specificity in terms of psychological care at health institutions as well as avoiding gender biases and preventing an increase of violence in couples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

18 pages, 976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Victimization and Perception of Abuse in Adolescent and Young Homosexual and Heterosexual Couples in Spain

by Noelia Aguilera-Jiménez, Luis Rodríguez-Franco, Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz, Jose Ramón Alameda-Bailén and Susana G. Paíno-Quesada

Healthcare 2023, 11(13), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131873 - 28 Jun 2023

Viewed by 964

Abstract

Currently, violence in adolescent and young couples has a significant social impact on young people’s physical and psychological health. However, the study of violence in homosexual couples must also be addressed. This research analyzes the levels of violent victimization and the perception of abuse in both homosexual and heterosexual couples. Participants’ ages ranged between 14 and 29 years (M = 20.14, SD = 3.464). We used The Dating Violence Questionnaire-Revised (CUIVNO-R), which was applied in two consecutive studies. The results indicate high levels of victimization, especially in the sample of homosexual participants. The scores generally show a low perception of couple violence but high victimization rates. The results of this study reveal the importance of the issue of violence in couples from minority groups and suggest that couple violence should not be understood as unidirectional, i.e., exclusively from men to women. These findings show the need for education in healthy relationships and consideration of different types of couples in these relationships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

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14 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Victimization Perceived and Experienced by Teens in an Abusive Dating Relationship: The Need to Tear down Social Myths

by Isabel Cuadrado-Gordillo, Guadalupe Martín-Mora-Parra and Ismael Puig-Amores

Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1639; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111639 - 3 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1105

Abstract

The phenomenon of adolescent dating violence is a social health problem that affects thousands of people in different contexts and parts of the world. To date, much of the work that has focused on analysing this phenomenon has tended to study it from the perspective of victimized adolescent girls, considering that gender violence predominates in violent pair relationships. Nonetheless, there is a growing body of evidence that the victimization of adolescent boys is a reality. Thus, mutual violence between boys and girls is increasingly prevalent. Given this context, the present study’s objective was to analyse and compare the victimization profile of a sample of female and male adolescents, taking into account the variables most commonly associated with victimization in these abusive relationships (perceived violence suffered, perceived severity, sexism, and moral disengagement). With this objective, different instruments were administered (CUVINO, Scale of Detection of Sexism Adolescents (DSA), and Mechanism of Moral Disengagement Scale (MMDS)). Data analysis based on the construction of a multiple linear regression model confirmed that the boys and girls in the sample revealed having suffered violence from their partners to a different degree. It is evident that the victimization profile of the two sexes is different. Thus, boys show less perception of severity, more sexism, and greater use of certain moral disengagement mechanisms than girls. These results reveal the need to tear down social myths and construct prevention programs that take into account different victimization profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 499 KiB

Open AccessReview

Barriers Faced by Australian and New Zealand Women When Sharing Experiences of Family Violence with Primary Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review

by Jayamini Chathurika Rathnayake, Nadirah Mat Pozian, Julie-Anne Carroll and Julie King

Healthcare 2023, 11(18), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182486 - 7 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1378

Abstract

Despite the Australian Government’s attempts to reduce domestic violence (DV) incidences, impediments within the social and health systems and current interventions designed to identify DV victims may be contributing to female victims’ reluctance to disclose DV experiences to their primary healthcare providers. This scoping review aimed to provide the state of evidence regarding reluctance to disclose DV incidents, symptoms and comorbidities that patients present to healthcare providers, current detection systems and interventions in clinical settings, and recommendations to generate more effective responses to DV. Findings revealed that female victims are reluctant to disclose DV because they do not trust or believe that general practitioners can help them to solve their issues, and they do not acknowledge that they are in an abusive relationship, and are unaware that they are in one, or have been victims of DV. The most common symptoms and comorbidities victims present with are sleep difficulties, substance use and anxiety. Not all GPs are equipped with knowledge about comorbidities signalling cases of DV. These DV screening programs are the most prominent intervention types within Australian primary health services and are currently not sufficiently nuanced nor sensitive to screen with accuracy. Finally, this scoping review provides formative evidence that in order for more accurate and reliable data regarding disclosure in healthcare settings to be collected, gender power imbalances in the health workforce should be redressed, and advocacy of gender equality and the change of social structures in both Australia and New Zealand remain the focus for reducing DV in these countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

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18 pages, 1080 KiB

Open AccessReview

Risk Factors Linked to Violence in Female Same-Sex Couples in Hispanic America: A Scoping Review

by Leonor Garay-Villarroel, Angela Castrechini-Trotta and Immaculada Armadans-Tremolosa

Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2456; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172456 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 920

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among women is an understudied topic in Hispanic Americans; therefore, we aim to describe this phenomenon and its associated risk factors in comparison with other sexual orientations and practices. A scoping review was carried out using the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Redalyc, Scielo.org, and Dialnet. The following keywords were used: same-sex, intragender, couple, domestic, and partner violence. The inclusion criteria applied were studies published between 2000 and 2022 with a minimum participation of 15% of Hispanic Americans, resulting in 23 articles. The findings showed a lower presence of studies on violence in women compared to men. Minority stress, power dynamics, social support, and childhood experiences of violence, which are related and complementary to each other, were identified as risk factors. We concluded that there is little research on IPV among women. In addition, studies require a renewed focus to comprehend this type of violence, which cannot be equated with those of heterosexual couples. This approach continues to perpetuate the invisibility of this problem, and, therefore, a more inclusive and specific perspective is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

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16 pages, 847 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Risk Factors of Chronic Pain in Victims of Violence: A Scoping Review

by Allison Uvelli, Cristina Duranti, Giulia Salvo, Anna Coluccia, Giacomo Gualtieri and Fabio Ferretti

Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2421; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172421 - 29 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1237

Abstract

Violent situations are unfortunately very frequent in women and children all over the world. These experiences have long-term consequences for adult physical and psychological health. One of the most reported is chronic pain, defined in various sub-diagnoses and present in all types of violence. Unfortunately, the etiology of this condition is not clear and neither are the predisposing factors. The aim of this scoping review is to examine the literature trends about the probable risk factors of chronic pain in violence victims. Considering a bio-psycho-social model, it is possible to hypothesize the presence of all these aspects. The results will be discussed in the present article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Vulnerability Factors, Health Promotion and Prevention in Educational and Healthcare Contexts)

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