Factors associated with the recurrence of violence against children and adolescents. Mato Grosso-Brazil, 2013 to 2019. / Fatores associados à recorrência de violência em crianças e adolescentes. Mato Grosso-Brasil, 2013 a 2019.

This study examined factors associated with the recurrence of interpersonal violence against children and adolescents in Mato Grosso state, considering cases recorded in the Notifiable Diseases Information System, from 2013 to 2019. Associations between variables were estimated by logistic regression and stratified by age group (children and adolescents). The frequency of recurrent violence against children was 49.0% and, against adolescents, 42.9%. For both, recurrent violence was positively associated with occurrence at home, psychological or emotional violence, aggressors' being more than two, their being relatives and threats being the means of aggression. Neglect or abandonment and male or both-sex aggressors were positively associated with recurrent violence against children. Against adolescents, poor education, sexual violence and intimate-partner aggressors were positively associated with recurrent violence, while other aggressors and firearms or physical force were negatively associated. The findings offer significant contributions to knowledge of factors associated with recurrent violence, which is still little studied in the national and international literature. This is essential in order to inform strategies to reduce the recurrence of violence and protect children and adolescents.

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar os fatores associados à recorrência da violência interpessoal contra crianças e adolescentes em Mato Grosso. Estudo com casos registrados no Sistema Informação de Agravos de Notificação no período de 2013 a 2019. A associação entre as variáveis foi estimada pela regressão logística, estratificada por faixa etária (crianças e adolescentes). A frequência da violência recorrente em crianças foi de 49,0%, e de 42,9% em adolescentes. Para ambos, a violência recorrente associou-se positivamente com ocorrência em residência, violência psicológica/moral, com mais de dois agressores envolvidos, agressores familiares e meio de agressão, ameaça. Para as crianças, negligência/abandono, sexo do agressor masculino ou ambos associaram-se positivamente com a recorrência da violência. Para adolescentes, baixa escolaridade, violência sexual e agressor parceiro íntimo estiveram associados positivamente à recorrência da violência, enquanto outros agressores e arma de fogo ou força corporal associaram-se negativamente. Os resultados trazem contribuições relevantes para o conhecimento dos fatores associados à violência recorrente, ainda pouco estudada na literatura nacional e internacional, sendo fundamental para apoiar estratégias de redução da recorrência da violência e de proteção às crianças e adolescentes.

Women's Shelter, a prison in reverse: when the protection of victims imprisons them. / Casa-abrigo, uma prisão às avessas: quando a proteção às vítimas as aprisiona.

This article aimed to know a Shelter for women in situations of intimate partner violence at imminent risk of death located in the state of Rio de Janeiro from the perception of its professionals. To this end, this qualitative research adopted semi-structured interviews with seven professionals directly involved with the care and assistance to the Shelter's user population. The findings were interpreted through Bardin's thematic content analysis. Moreover, the profile of the women and children sheltered in 2021 was drawn based on the data provided by the institution. In conceptual terms, this work focused on intersectional feminist theoretical references. Among the results, we argue that the shelter is permeated by contradictions, from its normative idealizations to institutional practices: on the one hand, the shelter represents the possibility of salvation, that is, of interrupting the escalation of violence and, therefore, preventing femicide. However, on the other hand, it appears as an upside-down prison, which "incarcerates" the victims. We highlight the importance of thinking about new ways to ensure protection for women who need this shelter.

O artigo teve como objetivo conhecer uma casa-abrigo para mulheres em situação de violência por parceiros íntimos (VPI) em risco iminente de morte localizada no estado do Rio de Janeiro a partir da percepção de seus profissionais. Para tanto, a pesquisa teve abordagem qualitativa e foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com sete profissionais envolvidos/as diretamente no atendimento e na assistência às mulheres atendidas pela casa-abrigo. A interpretação dos achados se deu por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo temática preconizada por Bardin. Além disso, foi traçado o perfil das mulheres e crianças abrigadas no ano de 2021, com base nos dados disponibilizados pela instituição. Em termos conceituais, este trabalho debruçou-se sobre referenciais teóricos feministas interseccionais. Entre os resultados, argumenta-se que a casa-abrigo está permeada por contradições, desde suas normativas às práticas institucionais: por um lado, representa uma possibilidade de "salvação", isto é, de interrupção da escalada da violência e, portanto, de impedimento do feminicídio, mas, por outro, aparece como uma prisão "às avessas", que "prende" as vítimas. Aponta-se a importância e a urgência de pensar novas formas de garantir proteção às mulheres que necessitam desse tipo de abrigamento.

Mental health outcomes of offspring exposed to parental intimate partner violence in Rwanda.

BACKGROUND: Children who witness parental intimate partner violence (IPV) are more likely to develop mental health issues compared to those who do not witness such violence. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to assess the association between parental intimate partner violence and child mental health outcomes. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study involved 548 participants divided into two groups: parents (N = 304) and offspring (N = 244). The participants were recruited from Mageragere Sector in the City of Kigali (urban), as well as Mbazi and Ruhashya sectors in Huye District (rural). To assess the difference about mental difficulties reported by the offspring, a Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare the responses of parents and their children on mental health outcomes. Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the association between parental intimate partner violence (IPV) and the mental health outcomes of their offspring. RESULTS: The results highlighted significant levels of mental and emotional challenges in children, as reported by both parents and the children themselves. Depression and youth conduct problems were more prevalent among the children compared to their parents, whereas anxiety and irritability were more commonly reported by parents than by their children. Intimate partner violence showed to be a predictor of irritability and anxiety symptoms in offspring. In terms of irritability, depression, and youth conduct problems they were identified as predictors of anxiety symptoms. Particularly, anxiety and irritability were revealed to predict youth conduct problems. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that parental intimate partner violence (IPV) has an impact on the mental well-being of their offspring. Furthermore, it was observed that there is not only a correlation between IPV and poor mental health outcomes, but also a connection between different mental conditions, implying that children exposed to IPV are more prone to experiencing a range of mental issues. As a result, intervention programs should place emphasis on addressing the mental disorders of both parents and children.

Physical and psychological health consequences of intimate partner violence among married primary school teachers in Delta South Senatorial Zone of Delta State, Nigeria: Implication for marital stability.

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious health issue among couples which is recorded more among married partners. Dishearteningly, IPV among couples who are teachers is underreported due to shame, thereby increasing the prevalence of IPV in the area of the study. Objectives: The study examined physical and psychological health consequences of IPV on married primary school teachers. Methods: The design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey conducted on married primary school teachers in Delta South Senatorial zone of Delta State, Nigeria from 22nd February - 29th November, 2021. Three hundred and thirteen 313 (207 women and 106 men who have experienced various forms of IPV) who were identified as victims of IPV were used as participants in the study. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on physical and psychological health consequences of IPV on married teachers. Conclusion: The researchers concluded that there are severe and serious physical and psychological health consequences associated with IPV among married primary school teachers in Delta South Senatorial zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Urgent interventions such as public enlightenment, campaigns, workshops, seminars, community health talk-shows should be organized by government stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, community leaders on the prevention of IPV and its dare consequences for marital stability.

Collaboration in providing intimate-partner violence services to women with disabilities.

BACKGROUND: There is a consensus among scholars, policymakers, and implementers that addressing the complex nature of intimate partner violence (IPV) requires a collaborative response. However, there is limited literature on how various professionals work collaboratively to address the needs of women with disabilities who experience IPV. This study combines the perspectives of women with disabilities and those of professionals to understand collaboration in providing IPV services to women with disabilities. METHODS: Twenty-nine in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 IPV service providers and 11 women with disabilities. The data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. RESULTS: The findings are presented under three themes: the first shows a consensus among different IPV service providers and disabled women on the importance of collaboration when supporting victims of IPV with disabilities; the second depicts the common ways in which collaboration occurs when supporting women with disabilities; and the third illuminates the critical elements that boost effective collaboration. CONCLUSION: Supporting IPV victims with disabilities requires active collaboration at both an internal and external level. Strengthening collaboration among different actors requires trust, specified roles, and the allocation of adequate resources.

Supporting Youth Exposed to Violence in the Post-Pandemic: Prevention and Intervention Strategies.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was a public health emergency that impacted adolescents across the United States and disproportionately affected youth experiencing marginalization due to less access to resources and supports. This study reviews the increases in intimate partner and youth violence during the pandemic, mechanisms contributing to these increases, and the overarching health impacts on adolescents. Pediatric health professionals have a vital role to play in implementing healing-centered practices and prevention efforts that mitigate impacts of trauma and violence and that support youth and families in pathways to healing and recovery.

Assessing risk for severe domestic violence and related homicides perpetrated by partners and in-laws: adapted danger assessments for women in abusive relationships in India.

Despite domestic violence and related homicides perpetrated by partners and/or in-laws being a significant public health problem in India, there are no reliable and valid instruments to identify and intervene with women in domestic violence relationships. Continued domestic violence can escalate to severe, near-lethal, or lethal violence or homicide. The Danger Assessment (DA) is a risk assessment instrument designed to assess the likelihood of severe, near-lethal, or lethal violence in abusive relationships. However, the DA is not designed to determine the risk of future severe, near-lethal, or lethal violence by in-laws. In-law abuse plays a significant role in domestic violence-related homicides in India and other countries with similar cultural norms. This study addressed this gap by developing the Danger Assessment for in-laws (DA-L) to assess risk from in-laws, alongside the Danger Assessment for Women in India (DA-WI) to assess risk from partners. The study also examined the psychometric properties of the DA-L and DA-WI. Longitudinal data from 150 women in India were used to measure the reliability and validity of the two versions of the DA. The original DA items and additional risk items were examined using relative risk ratios for their relationship with severe violence at three-month follow-ups. Predictive validity was tested with the receiver operating characteristic curve. The study resulted in reliable and valid measures (11 items DA-L and 26-items DA-WI) of risk. The versions of the DA can be useful for practitioners in India and those working with Indian women in the US and other countries. The DAs can be used for identifying women in domestic violence relationships who are at risk for future severe domestic violence and guide the provision of tailored safety plans.

Using painting to disclose the inner worlds of women subjected to intimate partner violence.

Intimate partner violence has become an increasingly serious social problem in Türkiye in recent years. It causes social, physical, and psychosocial health problems that impact mortality and morbidity in women. This study aimed to determine the inner worlds of female IPV victims who sought safety from their abusers in women's shelters. The sample consisted of ten women staying in a women's shelter affiliated with the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center in Ankara. The study used a qualitative research design (phenomenology) and the drawing technique. An art therapist and a psychotherapist interpreted the symbols in pictures drawn by participants. Moreover, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants to disclose their repressed feelings and thoughts. Both in-depth interviews and drawings helped us elaborate on participants' inner worlds. The results showed that all types of violence left deep emotional scars. Some participants stated that legal sanctions should also apply to psychological violence. Participants were highly motivated to change their lives around but had financial concerns. Some participants were concerned that legal procedures, such as housing and economic support, were short-termed. The results indicate that all parties, such as governments, civil society organizations, media, and the private sector, should adopt a holistic approach to combating all types of violence.

"It is like a curse". The lived experiences of the intersection of intergenerational violence, pregnancy, and intimate partner violence among urban Wisconsin Indigenous women.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern that disproportionately impacts Indigenous American women more than any other ethnic/racial group in the United States. PURPOSE: This study aims to inform the work of nurses and allied health professionals by providing insight into the lived realities of Indigenous women in urban areas and how IPV manifests in the lives of Indigenous women. METHODS: Postcolonial and Indigenous feminist frameworks informed this qualitative study. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed data from semi-structured individual interviews with 34 Indigenous women in large urban areas in the upper Midwest. FINDINGS: This manuscript discusses one broad theme: experiences of IPV during pregnancy and the devastating impacts on women and their children in the form of intergenerational trauma. Under this broad theme, we identified two sub-themes: impacts of IPV on individual pregnancy experiences and linkages to adverse pregnancy-related outcomes related to physical IPV during the childbearing years. CONCLUSION: This Indigenous-led study informs the development of effective Indigenous-specific interventions to minimize barriers to accessing prenatal care and help-seeking when experiencing IPV to reduce the devastating consequences for Indigenous women and their families.

Is there a relationship between internalized misogyny and attitudes towards dating violence in young women?

This study aims to determine the relationship between young women's attitudes towards dating violence and internalized misogyny. This study used descriptive and relational design. The target population of the study was all young women aged between 18 and 24 years who lived in Turkey. A total of 288 individuals were accessed in the study. Data were collected through the "Personal Information Form" developed by the researchers, "Attitudes towards Dating Violence Scales", and the "Internalized Misogyny Scale". Participating young women's Attitudes Towards Male Psychological Dating Violence Scale mean score and the Internalized Misogyny Scale mean score demonstrated a positive and medium level relationship (p<0.01. r:0.412), and a positive and weak correlation was detected with Devaluing of Women (p<0.01. r:0.374), Distrust of Women (p<0.01. r:0.341), and gender bias in favor of men (p<0.01. r:0.321) sub-scale mean scores. This study found that although the level was weak, there was a correlation between internalized misogyny and dating violence, and the increase in internalized misogyny increased the acceptance of dating violence in young women.

The relationship of intimate partner violence on depression: the mediating role of perceived social support and the moderating role of the Big Five personality.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the influence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) on depression, the mediating role of social support, and the moderating role of the Big Five personality traits in the relationship between social support and depression. Methods: Participants were recruited from Mainland China, using a stratified random sampling and quota sampling method. From June to August 2022, a diverse group of 21,916 participants (ranging from 12 to 100 years old) completed the Intimate Partner Violence Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Big Five Inventory-Short Version. Results: IPV was significantly positively correlated with depression and significantly negatively correlated with perceived social support. Perceived social support plays a mediating role in the link between IPV and depression. Discussion: Healthcare workers should assess social support and provide adequate care or recommendations for increasing social support when patients with IPV report depressive symptoms. Patients can be coached by professionals to improve their resiliency by developing or nurturing more optimistic personality traits.

Estudio binacional sobre las agresiones de pareja en estudiantes universitarios.

En esta investigación se dimensiona comparativamente la violencia en parejas de estudiantes de nivel universitario de la Argentina y de Ecuador y se explora la asociación con los celos y otras covariables teóricamente relevantes mediante análisis multivariado. Con un diseño de corte transversal se encuestaron 714 estudiantes (528 de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, y 186 de Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Conflict in Adolescents Dating Relationships Inventory, la Multidimensional Jealousy Scale e items ad hoc sobre fidelidad, consumo de sustancias y estrés durante la relación de pareja. Si bien se halló un predominio de la violencia verbal/emocional, el 3,8 % de los participantes alcanzó alto valor en la medida de abuso total cometido y más de la mitad informó haber cometido, por lo menos, un acto violento físico durante la relación índice. En modelo de regresión logística se verificó que la condición de pertenecer al grupo de alta violencia se asoció positiva y significativamente con los factores celos comportamentales, celos cognitivos,estrés y consumo de sustancias, y negativa y significativamente con la edad al comienzo de la relación.

Willingness to help women victims of intimate partner violence in a Spanish context: Differential factors, interactions and predictors.

This article presents two cross-sectional studies that group the most relevant (and potential) factors contemplated in the bystander literature on Intimate Partner Violence Against Women, (IPVAW). We analyzed their relationship with the intention to respond to hypothetical scenarios with specific helping behaviors based on the witnesses' gender, political ideology and on the bystander effect (study 1). We also studied them as predictors of helping behaviors (study 2). In total, 1,563 Spanish people participated in study 1 and 755 Spanish people in study 2. Participants had to study an IPVAW vignette (with a single bystander or multiple bystanders) and a control scenario (a robbery with a woman as victim or a man) and assess the perceived severity of the situation, the perceived responsibility of the victim and the aggressor(s), the personal perceived responsibility of the bystander and the intention to perform 8 helping behaviors. They also fulfilled a social desirability scale (study 1 and 2), the Inventory of Distorted Thoughts about Women and Violence and the Scale on Gender Ideology (study 2). Women tend to assess the IPVAW scenario in a way that favors displaying active helping behaviors to a greater extent than men. An individual's political opinion has also shown to affect the assessment and, to a lesser extent, the intention to help an IPVAW victim. The bystander effect only takes place when negative attitudes are present. When analyzing the interaction between the type of violence (gender versus non-gender-based violence) and the above-mentioned variables, the results tend to confirm previous studies. Regarding the predictors of the helping behaviors, perceived personal responsibility is key, together with victim blaming attitudes or the perceived severity of the situation. This study expands the knowledge on bystander behaviors in IPVAW contexts and offers elements to work on awareness campaigns.

Development and Evaluation of a Community Advisory Board for Family Violence.

Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important risk factor for child physical abuse, most IPV-exposed children are not evaluated for abusive injuries. A Community Advisory Board (CAB) was formed to (a) optimize a program to evaluate IPV-exposed children for abusive injuries and (b) inform research methods to engage IPV victims and their children. The objectives of this study were to implement and to evaluate the family violence CAB. Following best practices on CAB formation, we recruited local stakeholders with key roles as service providers, community leaders, and knowledge experts in IPV, child abuse, and emergency care. Fourteen members met bimonthly to develop a family-centered intervention and to inform research and advocacy activities. A shared memorandum of understanding outlined goals and objectives. One year after the CAB's implementation, a research assistant interviewed CAB members to understand their experiences, perceived benefits of participation, and desired improvements. Eleven CAB members, including an IPV survivor, participated. Emerging categories included (a) motivations to join the CAB (victim advocacy), (b) benefits of participation (development of relationships among members and increased acceptability of research methods), (c) facilitators of sustainability (program adaptability and development of trust), and (d) desired improvements (case-based follow-up). The CAB was successfully implemented and facilitated the development of collaborative relationships among stakeholders with key roles in IPV and child abuse. The CAB led to community member-proposed changes in research activities and clinical care for victims of IPV.

Intimate Partner Violence and its associated factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care. A Bayesian analysis approach.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health problem worldwide. In developing nations, including Ethiopia, the problem is under-reported and under-estimated. Therefore, this study attempts to assess intimate partner violence and its associated factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at public hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia. METHODS: A health facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A sample of 418 pregnant women was selected using random sampling technique from 1st May to 1st June 2021. IPV was measured using the World Health Organization (WHO) Multi-country study of violence against women assessment tool. Data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported into Stata 17 for further analysis. A Bayesian multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out from the posterior distribution, and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% credible interval (CrI) was used to declare statistically significant variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of any IPV among pregnant women was 31.3% [95% CrI 26.6%, 36.1%]. After adjusting a range of covariates, IPV during pregnancy was more likely among women whose husbands used substances [AOR = 4.33: 95% CrI 1.68, 8.95] and household decisions made by husbands only [AOR = 6.45: 95% CI 3.01, 12.64]. Conversely, pregnant women who attended primary [AOR = 0.47: 95% CrI 0.24, 0.81] and secondary [AOR = 0.64: 95% CrI 0.41, 0.92] educational levels, women who had four or more ANC visits antenatal care visits [AOR = 0.43: 95% CrI 0.25, 0.68], and women with no prior history of adverse birth outcomes [AOR = 0.48: 95% CI 0.27, 0.80] were less likely to experience IPV during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a relatively high prevalence of any IPV among pregnant women, with factors such as substance use by husbands and limited decision-making autonomy associated with increased IPV likelihood. Conversely, women with higher education levels, four and above antenatal care attendance, and no history of adverse birth outcomes showed a reduced likelihood of experiencing IPV during pregnancy. Therefore, targeted interventions to address substance use, empower women in decision-making, and promote education and healthcare access to mitigate IPV risk during pregnancy are recommended.

Executive dysfunction and cortical variations among intimate partner violence perpetrators and the association with sexism.

Malfunctioning in executive functioning has been proposed as a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV). This is not only due to its effects on behavioral regulation but also because of its association with other variables such as sexism. Executive dysfunctions have been associated with frontal and prefrontal cortical thickness. Therefore, our first aim was to assess differences in cortical thickness in frontal and prefrontal regions, as well as levels of sexism, between two groups of IPV perpetrators (with and without executive dysfunctions) and a control group of non-violent men. Second, we analyzed whether the cortical thickness in the frontal and prefrontal regions would explain sexism scores. Our results indicate that IPV perpetrators classified as dysexecutive exhibited a lower cortical thickness in the right rostral anterior cingulate superior frontal bilaterally, caudal middle frontal bilaterally, right medial orbitofrontal, right paracentral, and precentral bilaterally when compared with controls. Furthermore, they exhibited higher levels of sexism than the rest of the groups. Most importantly, in the brain structures that distinguished between groups, lower thickness was associated with higher sexism scores. This research emphasizes the need to incorporate neuroimaging techniques to develop accurate IPV profiles or subtypes based on neuropsychological functioning.