A meaningful insight into mothers' experiences of domestic abuse
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a meaningful insight into mothers' experiences of domestic abuse. Exploring the relationships between mothers and health professionals during historic periods of domestic abuse, to identify how these might have prevented or promoted disclosure of abuse.
IRAS ID
292380
Contact name
Kerry Ellis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of Scotland
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 3 months, 26 days
Research summary
This study addresses the retrospective experiences of mothers during periods of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a significant global public health issue, affecting 1 in 3 women (WHO, 2013); throughout the Coronavirus epidemic, this has gained further attention as the prevalence of domestic abuse has heightened (Scottish Government, 2021), and the impact on victims, children and families has become more apparent. Women who experience abuse suffer a plethora of psychological and physical health issues, as do their children (WHO, 2013), and consequently they present frequently to healthcare settings (Lundell et al, 2017).
Despite the known incidence and prevalence of domestic abuse in communities, it is also known to be widely under-reported (Decker et al, 2012), and women face many barriers to disclosing abuse, many of which relate to the healthcare setting (Decker et al, 2012). The pandemic lockdown restrictions have resulted in an increase in requests for help from victims, while also limiting women's contact with others, access to services, and opportunities to disclose (Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2020).
This Hermeneutic study aims to explore the relationships that women have had with health professionals during periods of abuse, and identify how these relationships with Health Visitors, midwives, GPs, might have promoted or prevented disclosure of abuse. Women who have experienced abuse while their children were aged 0-5 and within the last 5 years will be invited to participate. Data will be collected via semi-structured interviews, using the life history calendar framework to produce a visual timeline (Yoshihama et al, 2002; Nelson, 2010).
Women will be recruited from areas within Scotland that are accessible to the researcher, via Health Visiting caseloads, and also via Women's Aid organisations. It is anticipated that findings could influence policy and practice within Scotland.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
22/NS/0078
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion