Nina Fredland

Severity of Violence Against Women by Intimate Partners and Associated Use of Alcohol and/or Illicit Drugs by the Perpetrator

One hundred eighty abused women presenting for protective orders or to file assault charges were interviewed. The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale measured threats of abuse and actual physical violence. A questionnaire measured stalking. Additionally, the women were asked if the perpetrator was drunk daily and/or used illicit drugs. Perpetrators were divided into four groups: no alcohol or drug use (33%); alcohol only (19%); drugs only (18%); and alcohol and drugs (30%). Using multivariate analysis and controlling for demographic variables, physical abuse was significantly (p = .005) higher for women with perpetrators who used drugs only (x = 60.4) compared with perpetrators who used alcohol only (x = 47.7). Stalking was significantly (p = .001) higher for perpetrators who used alcohol and drugs (x = 8.2) compared with perpetrators who did not use alcohol or drugs (x = 5.6). To enable abused women to promote their safety, an understanding of the association between substance use and specific types of intimate partner violence is required.

Indicators of intimate partner violence in women's employment: implications for workplace action.

The study examined the indicators and consequences of intimate partner violence on womens employment and associated types and levels of violence. Interviews were conducted with a consecutive sample of 90 women seeking a protective order. Actual and threatened violence was measured with the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales (46 items). Eight questions were asked about type of harassment experienced at the worksite. The results found most of the abused women had been employed at one time (87%) and had also experienced harassment from an intimate partner related to their work (89%). Findings indicated lost productivity and reduced performance. The researchers concluded poor work performance, tardiness, and absenteeism may indicate an employee is suffering from intimate partner violence.

Primary Healthcare Provider's Lost Opportunity To Help Abused Women

Purpose To determine how often primary care providers have the opportunity to assess and intervene for intimate partner violence (IPV) in a population of women who are known to be experiencing IPV. Data Sources A convenience sample of 149 abused women presenting to the justice system for protection orders or to file assault charges against an intimate partner were interviewed about the date and reason for her last healthcare visit, whether she had been screened for IPV, and the presence of selected conditions, medication use, and hospitalizations. Conclusions Although 86% (n=128) of the women had sought healthcare services within the previous year, only 24% (n=36) had been assessed for IPV. Implications for Practice Abused women use healthcare services at higher rates and have more health conditions than non‐abused women. Despite recommendations of professional organizations, health providers have low rates of screening for IPV. Universal screening for IPV by nurse practitioners could substantially interrupt ongoing abuse.

Mandatory Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence: Safety or Retaliatory Abuse for Women?

We wished to ascertain abused womens perspectives on mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence. A consecutive sample of 161 abused women accessing the criminal justice system were asked six questions. Most women (81%) thought there should be a law making the nurse or doctor report the abuse, with less than half of the women (45%) reporting they would have been at greater risk for abuse following a mandatory report. Although these 161 abused women support mandatory reporting of partner abuse, it remains unclear if such a law would deter further abuse. Outcome and evaluation studies of mandatory reporting laws are urgently needed.

Connecting Partner Violence to Poor Functioning for Mothers and Children: Modeling Intergenerational Outcomes

Violence against women, a global epidemic, frequently begins in childhood. Many abused women are mothers and many children witness the abuse of their mothers. To better understand the intergenerational impact and associated health outcomes, we tested 300 mother-child pairs using structural equation modeling. Mother’s history of abuse during childhood directly impacted the level of adult abuse, which predicted her child’s witness to the abuse. Maternal pain predicted maternal symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mother’s mental health predicted the degree of child dysfunction, such as aggression and depression. These findings offer evidence for the urgent need to provide mental health interventions to improve maternal functioning of abused mothers as a conduit intervention to prevent child dysfunction and promote mother-child health.

The Intersection of Partner Violence and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Implications for Research and Clinical Practice

Violence against women continues to be a serious public health issue afflicting women worldwide. The intersection of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence is detrimental to a womans well-being. This review aims to identify the types of ACEs reported by women who also report partner violence and the subsequent negative impact of this combination of experiences on the womens health. The evidence supports the cumulative effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on women, particularly when coupled with experiences of intimate partner violence. Early interventions by providers have the potential to mitigate negative health outcomes of abused women and interrupt the intergenerational transmission of violence to their children.

Modeling the intergenerational impact of partner abuse on maternal and child function at 24 months post outreach: Implications for practice and policy

OBJECTIVE Many women are exposed to partner violence during their lifetime which affects mental health and child development. This study revalidates an intergenerational model connecting partner violence to poor functioning for mothers and children using structural equation techniques. METHOD A longitudinal design collected data on 300 mother-child pairs. Comparisons between the model, tested at study entry and again at 24 months, are reported. Maternal measures included childhood experiences of abuse, partner abuse, chronic pain, and mental health. The Child Behavior Checklist measured child function. RESULTS Comparison of both models revealed that maternal chronic pain, maternal mental health, and child witnessing of mothers abuse remain strong predictors of child dysfunction. Maternal social support and self-efficacy are significant predictors of more positive maternal mental health with a conduit effect on child behavior. CONCLUSION Intimate partner violence directly impacts the victim and also has a secondary impact on the children of abuse victims.

Problem-Solving and Mental Health Outcomes of Women and Children in the Wake of Intimate Partner Violence

The environmental stress of intimate partner violence is common and often results in mental health problems of depression, anxiety, and PTSD for women and behavioral dysfunctions for their children. Problem-solving skills can serve to mitigate or accentuate the environmental stress of violence and associated impact on mental health. To better understand the relationship between problem-solving skills and mental health of abused women with children, a cross-sectional predictive analysis of 285 abused women who used justice or shelter services was completed. The women were asked about social problem-solving, and mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD as well as behavioral functioning of their children. Higher negative problem-solving scores were associated with significantly (P < 0.001) greater odds of having clinically significant levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and somatization for the woman and significantly (P < 0.001) greater odds of her child having borderline or clinically significant levels of both internalizing and externalizing behaviors. A predominately negative problem-solving approach was strongly associated with poorer outcomes for both mothers and children in the aftermath of the environmental stress of abuse. Interventions addressing problem-solving ability may be beneficial in increasing abused womens abilities to navigate the daily stressors of life following abuse.

Behavioral functioning of children of abused women who seek services from shelters or the justice system: new knowledge for clinical practice.

Millions of women worldwide are victims of partner violence annually and their children are at-risk for psychological and physical dysfunctions. A total of 300 children (ages 18 months to 16 years), whose abused mothers sought safe shelter or a protection order for the first time, were studied. Data revealed internalizing behaviors, such as depression and externalizing behaviors, such as bullying decreased 4 months after mothers obtained help. Children’s scores from the shelter group indicated more dysfunction. Although no direct program was offered to the children studied, routine child care presents opportunities for nurses in pediatric settings to assess mothers for abuse and intervene with guided referrals and safety information that may promote better child functioning.

Poverty, Partner Abuse, and Women's Mental Health: New Knowledge for Better Practice

ABSTRACT. To better understand how poverty and poor mental health impact women who are abused by intimate partners, a convenience sample of 300 abused women using shelters or justice services for the 1st time were interviewed. The 300 women were categorized as having no income, being above poverty, and being below poverty according to U.S. Poverty Guidelines. Results indicated that no direct effect of income on poor mental health was noted; however, an interaction between type and severity of abuse and income level had an impact on poor mental health. Abused women who were above poverty with the highest incomes reported the highest levels of depression in the presence of high physical and sexual abuse. In contrast, women reporting no income reported no significant effect of severity or type of abuse on depression scores. Women just above the poverty level who experienced severe abuse were at highest risk for mental health problems. Poverty impacts the mental health of abused women according to the degree of poverty and type and severity of abuse. More research is needed to specify programs to maximize the mental health functioning and economic solvency of abused women.