Should Programs Designed to Help IPV Survivors Screen for Mental Health-Related Problems: Voices From the Field

Violence Against Women. 2017 Apr;23(5):603-622. doi: 10.1177/1077801216646225. Epub 2016 Jul 9.

Abstract

Qualitative responses that 187 service providers gave to a question assessing whether agencies designed to help intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors should screen for mental health-related problems were analyzed using a version of the concept mapping approach. Nine central clusters emerged from the data analysis, which can be linked to three underlying themes: how the identification of mental health-related problems (i.e., labeling) could be misused when working with IPV survivors, ways screening can be appropriately used to help IPV survivors, and barriers that prevent screening. Findings highlight the importance of trauma-informed approaches across all aspects of service delivery.

Keywords: IPV survivors; domestic violence; mental health; screening.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Qualitative Research
  • Surveys and Questionnaires