Allison Crowe

Stigma from professional helpers toward survivors of intimate partner violence

The authors explored experiences of stigma from professional helpers toward survivors of intimate partner violence in two related studies with a combined sample of 231 participants. Qualitative interview and quantitative survey data were analyzed with content analysis procedures using an a priori coding strategy. Results suggest that survivors felt stigmatized by mental health professionals, attorneys and judges, health care professionals, law enforcement, professionals in the employment or education systems, parenting-related professionals, as well as friends and family. The most frequently occurring stigma categories were feeling dismissed, denied, and blamed. Participants cited the most common sources of stigma occurred from interactions with professionals in the court system and law enforcement officers. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The stigma surrounding intimate partner violence: a cluster analysis study

Existing research suggests that a significant stigma surrounds intimate partner violence, and this stigma can make it difficult for survivors to receive help. This article presents the results of a research study that used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify whether certain types of stigma are more likely to co-occur. Survey results revealed four clusters based on participants’ stigma-related experiences: low stigma, blamed and black sheep, shame and separation, and high stigma. Participants in the high stigma group reported the highest levels of verbal abuse. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Family Functioning, Coping, and Distress in Families With Serious Mental Illness

It is well documented that mental illness impacts not only the person diagnosed but also the family; however, not much is known about family functioning, coping, and distress in the family of the person with the mental illness. Utilizing online surveys of members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the following study explored these factors in families with at least one person diagnosed with a mental illness, in order to get a closer look at how counselors and family therapists might assist these families’ unique needs. Family variables such as coping style, family functioning, and distress were tested. Other factors such as race/ethnicity, type and severity of mental illness, time and energy spent caregiving, emotional closeness, and amount of and satisfaction with mental health treatment were examined. Relationships among coping, stress and functioning were found, and meditational models were explored. A key finding was the importance of passive appraisal coping to positive family communication, functioning, and satisfaction. Families with higher levels of distress were less likely to report better family functioning, communication, or satisfaction. Mental health treatment satisfaction was related to higher levels of family support and reframing coping and lower levels of overall distress, which were then linked to more balanced family flexibility and higher family satisfaction.

Turning Points Critical Incidents Prompting Survivors to Begin the Process of Terminating Abusive Relationships

The decision whether to leave an abusive relationship is very complex for victims. A small but growing body of research demonstrates the importance of turning points in these decisions. Situated within the theoretical framework of the Transtheoretical Model of Change, this study uses a phenomenological data analysis process to analyze the descriptions of turning points provided by a sample of 123 survivors of past abusive relationships who had been out of any abusive relationships for at least 2 years. Six distinct themes of turning points are identified: (a) facing the threat of severe violence; (b) changing their perspective about the relationship, abuse, and/or their partner; (c) learning about the dynamics of abuse; (d) experiencing an intervention from external sources or consequences; (e) realizing the impact of the violence on children; and (f) the relationship being terminated by the abuser or some other cause. Implications for research, counseling practice, and theory are discussed.

Overcoming Abuse: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Journey to Recovery From Past Intimate Partner Violence:

To date, minimal research has focused on the recovery process for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study utilized a phenomenological methodology to understand the lived experiences of survivors of IPV (N = 123) who had overcome abusive relationships and created violence-free and meaningful lives. The researchers aimed to understand key factors involved in their recovery processes. Results indicated two main processes in the IPV recovery process: intrapersonal processes and interpersonal processes. Intrapersonal processes included (a) regaining and recreating one’s identity, (b) embracing the freedom and power to direct one’s own life, (c) healing from the mental and physical health symptoms of the abuse, (d) fostering acceptance and forgiveness with self and abuser, (e) education and examination of abusive relationships, (f) determining whether and how to enter new intimate relationships, and (g) acknowledging the long-term process of overcoming abuse. Interpersonal processes included themes of (a) building positive social support and relationships and (b) using ones’ experiences with abuse to help others. Results of the present study are presented, and implications for practitioners are discussed.

Distress in Caregivers of a Family Member With Serious Mental Illness

It is well documented that mental illness influences not only the person diagnosed but also the family. The following study explored distress in 169 caregivers of a family member with serious mental illness (SMI). Factors such as time spent caregiving, type of familial relationship, mental health treatment, and income were explored as they associated to caregiver depression and family discord. Regression models suggested that caregiving for a son or daughter or devoting 20 hr a week or less to caregiving was associated with lower distress levels. Higher numbers of difficult behaviors exhibited by the person diagnosed were associated with higher family discord. The Mental Illness Distress Scale demonstrated some capacity to measure distress related to having a family member with SMI.

Sources and Components of Stigma Experienced by Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Previous research suggests that survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience stigma, which may affect their willingness to seek help and their recovery process following the end of the abusive relationship. This article presents the Integrated IPV Stigmatization Model, which integrates previous research on the components and sources of the stigma surrounding IPV. Content analysis procedures were used to examine the applicability of the model to qualitative data from an electronic survey with 279 survivors of past abusive relationships. The results demonstrated the most common components and sources of stigma experienced by the participants, as well as the patterns of which components were most common among the various sources of stigma. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.

How can we end the stigma surrounding domestic and sexual violence? A modified Delphi study with national advocacy leaders

The purpose of this study was to use a modified Delphi methodology study to identify priority actions that can be taken at the individual, local, and national levels to eliminate the stigma surrounding domestic and sexual violence. An expert panel of national organizational leaders provided input about the nature of the stigma surrounding domestic and sexual violence, as well as strategies to end this stigma. The findings were organized into three themes: (a) the social context of the stigma surrounding domestic and sexual violence; (b) the impact of the stigma on resources for victims and survivors; and (c) strategies for eradicating the stigma surrounding domestic and sexual violence. Implications of the study’s findings for research, practice, and advocacy are discussed.

The Youth Public Arts Program: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Outcomes for At-Risk Youth

Abstract This article provides the findings of a program evaluation of the Youth Public Arts Program, a long-standing community-based art program that serves at-risk youth in eastern North Carolina. The program evaluation was undertaken to examine the art skills, social and interpersonal skills, and community involvement of the participants. The study included four focus groups and telephone surveys with a total of 38 stakeholders (program participants, parents of participants, program staff, and referral sources). Results indicated that the at-risk youth had gains in both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, including family relationships, peer relationships, community interaction, increased art skills, confidence, and self-regulation. This article adds to the very limited literature on community-based art programs for youth.

Using Sketchbooks to Facilitate the Group Process with At-Risk Youth

ABSTRACT There is a small body of social work literature on working with youth who are at risk in group settings using expressive art modalities. Authors have begun to explore the specific benefits of this and have found interpersonal and intrapersonal improvements, among other positive outcomes. The following article provides an overview of a particular ongoing activity, Sketchbooks, used to facilitate group process. In this article, the authors describe how individual Sketchbooks help foster therapeutic and strengths-based group factors in The Youth Public Arts Program (YPAP), a psycho-educational art program for youth who are at risk. The following describes the Youth Public Arts Program, the Sketchbook activity and 6-week curriculum, and examples of how the therapeutic factors are manifested in this particular group program.