Addressing Family Violence Research Articles

Violencia familiar en el Perú por agresión física e incompatibilidad de caracteres

The research allows analyzing trends, differences and patterns in these cases to strengthen measures to prevent, protect and address family violence in the country. To analyze and understand the incidence of complaints of family violence due to physical aggression and incompatibility of characters in Peru, between 2011 and 2022. A quantitative approach was established to address awareness of this social problem and promote effective measures through statistical and inferential analysis. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening protection measures, promoting education and improving reporting systems. It highlights the need for an integrated and coordinated approach to family violence to prevent and address this serious social problem. Statistical analysis shows significant trends in physical aggression, emphasizing the need for preventive and protective measures. The data collected allows for the identification of patterns and variations in reporting, helping to understand the impact of family violence in Peru. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening protective measures, promoting education and effectively addressing this social problem. This allows the implementation of public policies and programs that address the root causes of family violence, promoting safe and healthy environments.

Case-study: A wicked way to address family violence in a regional setting in Western Australia.

Communication tools have long been used to address complex social policy problems, known as wicked problems, in communities around the world. However, the challenge has remained, how do we measure the impact of social change with communication for development (C4D)? Evaluators recommend utilising evaluation tools that take a wider systems-based approach to assist in the evaluation of C4D projects. Health Communication Resources (HCR) Inc., a health promotion charity that supports C4D projects around the world, aimed to trial a tool to assist evaluation of a project addressing gender inequality, an underlying driver of family violence in the community. WickedLab's tool for systemic change was utilised to assist the evaluation of the complex adaptive system. The research team mapped the system that existed in Geraldton working towards addressing the wicked problem of gender inequality. Mapping the system highlighted how integral C4D actions were in maintaining and strengthening the system as it works together towards gender equality in the community. A systems-based approach can strengthen evaluation and demonstrates the role C4D projects play in addressing wicked problems in a defined location. SO WHAT?: WickedLab's tool for systemic change provides significant potential for the evaluation of other health promotion and communication for development projects.

Intimate partner violence and Bowen family systems theory: promoting safety and expanding capacity of families

AbstractFamily violence is becoming increasingly visible in Australia, with many state and federal governments taking on more responsibility to address family violence and its impacts on those affected. Current efforts are focused on practice frameworks, identifying and responding to risk factors, and social justice frameworks including legislating against family violence in a range of jurisdictions and addressing more broadly the structural and cultural forces that perpetuate violence and further oppress those victimised. Family violence is not unique to Australia, with prevalence rates internationally suggesting family violence occurs irrespective of country, race, age, culture, effectiveness of social policies or socioeconomic status. This paper explores relevant foundational concepts of Bowen family systems theory (BFST) as it relates to family violence and explores opportunities to evolve practice in this area. BFST offers a unique contribution towards addressing family violence, particularly in relation to the public health challenge of addressing family polyvictimisation. The paper also explores how BFST conceptualises family violence and the role of the professional in working with the family as a single emotional unit. The unique focus of BFST on observing and defining self within the emotional family unit through observation of the underlying multigenerational emotional patterns of functioning provides unique opportunities to evolve and develop both the capacity of clinicians and responses to families who are navigating the serious and challenging impacts of family violence.

Assessing primary health care provider and organization readiness to address family violence in Alberta, Canada: development of a Delphi consensus readiness tool

BackgroundFamily violence, which includes intimate partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse, is a serious public health concern. Primary healthcare (PHC) offers a vital opportunity to identify and address family violence, yet barriers prevent the effective implementation of family violence interventions in PHC settings. The purpose of this study is to improve family violence identification and response in Alberta’s PHC settings by exploring readiness factors.MethodsAn integrated knowledge translation approach, combining implementation science and participatory action research, was employed to develop a readiness assessment tool for addressing family violence within PHC settings in Alberta. The research involved three phases: phase 1 involved a rapid evidence assessment, phase 2 engaged a panel of healthcare and family violence experts to explore readiness components in the Alberta context, and phase 3 utilized a 3-round Delphi consensus-building process to refine readiness indicators.ResultsPhase 1 findings from a rapid evidence assessment highlighted five main models/tools for assessing readiness to implement family violence interventions in PHC settings. In phase 2, additional concepts were identified through exploration with healthcare and family violence expert panel members, resulting in a total of 16 concepts for assessing family violence readiness within the Alberta PHC context. The 3-round Delphi consensus-building process in Phase 3 involved nine panelists, who collectively agreed on the inclusion of all concepts and indicators, yielding a total of 60 items for the proposed readiness assessment tool for addressing family violence in PHC within Alberta.ConclusionThe current study lays the groundwork for future family violence intervention programs, offering insights into key components that promote readiness for implementing comprehensive programs and supporting PHC organizations in effectively addressing family violence.

Differential Intervention Outcomes Among Fathers Who Commit Domestic and Family Violence: The Influence of Parental Relationship Status

Abstract Background In Western contexts, the behavior of domestically violent men is largely addressed through legal sanctions and standardised men’s behavior change programs. When domestically violent fathers remain together or in contact with their families, safety is an ongoing concern. However, program evaluations have failed to provide clear evidence for their effectiveness in addressing family violence in relation to parenting status. Part of the problem in developing efficacious programs has been the challenge of targeting them to typologies or socio-cultural needs of participants. Purpose The Caring Dads (CD) program supports father-change through leveraging men’s motivation to be positive parents, promoting child-centred fathering and cessation of family abuse. The aim of this study was to investigate whether participating fathers improved their co-parenting interactions, family functioning and wellbeing, and considered father characteristics and relationship statuses that coincided with positive outcomes. Methods This mixed method Australian study investigating a CD pilot incorporated psychological measures and semi-structured interviews at pre-, post- and 10 months post-intervention. Participants were fathers who attended CD in South-East Queensland, 2017–2019, and their co-parents. Results All fathers experienced improvements in parenting and family functioning by post-intervention, with greatest improvements for partnered fathers’ families. Partnered fathers also experienced improved parental alliance, unlike most separated fathers, although results must be viewed with caution due to small sample size and attrition across the study duration. Conclusion This study provides early support for improvements in CD participants’ fathering, parental alliance, and family functioning, most substantially for partnered fathers, though findings should be further investigated with larger cohorts.

Improving Health Professional Recognition and Response to Child Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence: Protocol for Two Mixed Methods Pilot Randomized Controlled Trials.

The optimal educational approach for preparing health professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively recognize and respond to family violence, including child maltreatment and intimate partner violence, remains unclear. The Violence, Evidence, Guidance, and Action (VEGA) Family Violence Education Resources is a novel intervention that can be completed via self-directed learning or in a workshop format; both approaches focus on improving health professional preparedness to address family violence. Our studies aim to determine the acceptability and feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the self-directed (experimental intervention) and workshop (active control) modalities of VEGA, as an adjunct to standard education, to improve learner (Researching the Impact of Service provider Education [RISE] with Residents) and independent practice (RISE with Veterans) health professional preparedness, knowledge, and skills related to recognizing family violence in their health care encounters. The RISE with Residents and RISE with Veterans research studies use embedded experimental mixed methods research designs. The quantitative strand for each study follows the principles of a pilot randomized controlled trial. For RISE with Residents, we aimed to recruit 80 postgraduate medical trainees; for RISE with Veterans, we intended to recruit 80 health professionals who work or have worked with Veterans (or their family members) of the Canadian military or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in a direct service capacity. Participants complete quantitative assessments at baseline, after intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. A subset of participants from each arm also undergoes a qualitative semistructured interview with the aim of describing participants' perceptions of the value and impact of each VEGA modality, as well as research burden. Scores on potential outcome measures will be mapped to excerpts of qualitative data via a mixed methods joint display to aid in the interpretation of findings. We consented 71 individuals to participate in the RISE with Residents study. Data collection was completed on August 31, 2023, and data are currently being cleaned and prepared for analysis. As of January 15, 2024, we consented 34 individuals in the RISE with Veterans study; data collection will be completed in March 2024. For both studies, no data analysis had taken place at the time of manuscript submission. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications; academic conferences; and posting and sharing of study summaries and infographics on social media, the project website, and via professional network listserves. Reducing the impacts of family violence remains a pressing public health challenge. Both research studies will provide a valuable methodological contribution about the feasibility of trial methods in health professions education focused on family violence. They will also contribute to education science about the differences in the effectiveness of self-directed versus facilitator-led learning strategies. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05490121, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05490121; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05490004, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05490004. DERR1-10.2196/50864.

Effective Professional Interventions for Protecting Children and Families from Violence in Buraydah, Al Qassim

Addressing family violence in Al Qassim is critical for ensuring the well-being of children and encouraging stable households. This study explores effective professional interventions and innovative ways to protect and support families affected by violence, while considering the difficulties and critical aspects involved in their implementation. Family therapy, community education programs, trauma-informed care, and counseling services are described as useful interventions that improve communication, resolve problems, and create healthy relationships within families by the Osrah organization. Furthermore, technology-based therapies and arts-based therapy provide novel approaches to closing service gaps and promoting healing and resilience. Community empowerment, education programs, economic opportunities, and constant review are all part of long-term solutions. Al Qassim, specifically in Buraydah, may build a safer and more supportive environment by prioritizing the well-being of children and families and applying these techniques, fostering strong relationships within the community.

Effectiveness of a family violence prevention program on mental health outcomes for adult men and women in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Insights from a pilot trial.

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faced dual burdens of poor mental health and heightened levels of violence against women and children within the home. Interventions addressing family violence prevention may offer a path to mitigate mental distress within the eastern DRC. This exploratory analysis uses data from a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in North Kivu, DRC, assessing the impact of Safe at Home, a violence prevention intervention. Mental health was assessed at endline using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Statistical analyses employed multilevel linear regression. Assuming successful randomization, impact of the Safe at Home intervention on mental health differed by participant gender. Women enrolled in the Safe at Home intervention reported statistically significant decreases in mental distress symptoms [β (95%CI)=-1.01 (-1.85, -0.17)], whereas men enrolled in Safe at Home had similar scores in mental distress to the control group [β (95%CI)=-0.12 (-1.32, 1.06)]. Ultimately, this exploratory analysis provides evidence of the potential for a family violence prevention model to improve women's mental health in a low-resource, conflict-affected setting, although further research is needed to understand the impact on men's mental health.

Domestic violence and social services in Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Nigeria: Comparative study

Objectives: with regard to neglect, deprivation, false allegations, exposure to traumatic experiences, and other factors, it is reasonable to claim that domestic violence is a major contributor to child abuse in families. Domestic violence also affects the national economy and the probability of poverty. The legal definition of violence and cultural traditions play a significant role in how it is perceived. This study focuses on exploring domestic violence and social services to respond to domestic violence in families with children and examines multidisciplinary approach to domestic violence in families across Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Nigeria. Materials and Methods: based on purposive sampling, 16 in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals from Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, and Nigeria who work with families and individuals who have experienced domestic violence. The data were analysed using ATLAS.ti 5.0 to generate themes and finalised by employing qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) with the software fsQCA 4.0. Results: data showed that several conditions impacted the effective intervention and prevention of domestic violence. Four of these conditions were identified as sufficient causal pathways for domestic violence: tradition for tolerance of violence, lack of or fuzzy national definition of domestic violence, cultural traditions, level of support for women’s empowerment, government policies addressing family violence, and multidisciplinary efforts of social intervention professionals. Conclusions. The observed level of violence tolerance provides some explanation for the low rate of self-reported domestic violence and rationale for a greater emphasis on human rights and dignity awareness. The multidisciplinary efforts of social intervention are evident in the services provided in Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, and Nigeria; there are professional referrals to little multidisciplinary collaboration in Nigeria. The example of Nigeria demonstrates that regulations exist to prevent domestic violence, but cultural traditions make it difficult for women to disclose abuse, resulting in many women suffering in silence.

Interventions addressing family violence and mental illness or substance use in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

Most family violence research has been conducted in high-income countries, although family violence rates are higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and outcomes more severe. Given the strong associations of family violence with substance use and mental illness, the aim of this systematic review was to examine interventions that targeted familial violence and at least one other condition of substance use or mental illness to determine effective treatments in LMICs. We conducted a systematic review of interventions that addressed family violence and mental illness or substance use. A committee of three researchers independently screened titles and abstracts and conducted full-text eligibility assessments. Two researchers conducted a risk of bias assessment. Data were extracted using a structured spreadsheet and narratively synthesized. Our search identified 29 articles produced from 19 studies conducted in 13 LMICs. Most (n=15) studies randomized to study condition. Lack of blinding was the most common threat. The external validity of studies was generally poor. Fourteen studies had a primary intervention target of family violence, mental health, substance use, economic improvement, or HIV. None of the studies showed improvements in all intervention areas. Child maltreatment was less likely to be addressed than intimate partner violence (IPV). Targeted interventions for substance and mental health mostly improved primary outcomes, although they were less effective in reducing IPV. Evidence-based treatments must be rigorously evaluated before innovations in implementation can occur. Interventions overwhelmingly addressed IPV victimization and should consider how to work with couples and include men and children.

Black Rain: a kaupapa Māori (a Māori approach) to addressing family violence and intergenerational trauma

AbstractIn working with Māori to address family violence and the trauma that arises when it is occurring across generations, three elements are essential. The first is helping whānau (family members) to recognise and reconnect with the impact of the violence they are caught up in. The second is to do so in a way that contextualises this because it never involves and affects individuals alone. And third is to do so by being conscious of the whole of a person's being and being aware that the spiritual realm is the entry point. For 30 years, Fay Pouesi has been working with Māori whānau, initiating kaupapa (approaches) that include these three elements. This article details one kaupapa, known as Black Rain, which has been successfully helping men and women to break the cycles of intergenerational violence within their whānau since 2010. To do this, we will draw upon Fay's work and that of two colleagues who now work with her.

Programs to Address Violence for Military Families: a Systematic Review

Abstract Purpose Family violence, encompassing intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment (CM), is a considerable public health issue affecting a large subset of the U.S. population. Military families may be exposed to unique risk factors for experiencing family violence. Interventions to address family violence that are specific to military and Veteran populations are critical to the military family wellbeing as they address the unique military context as well as military stressors. Though a number of these programs exist, to our knowledge, there has been no systematic effort to describe and evaluate these interventions. To address this issue, the present study employs systematic review methods to explore the following research questions: (1) What military family violence interventions are reported in the peer-reviewed literature? (2) What are the characteristics of these interventions? (3) How effective are these interventions? Methods This study utilized a systematic review following the PROSPERO (the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) protocol, registration code CRD42022296207. Results The initial search returned 3,666 sources. From these, 15 sources evaluating thirteen military family violence interventions were identified. About half of the studies evaluated interventions for Veterans and/or their partners (n = 7), one study was for both Veterans and Active Duty service members and/or their partners, four were solely for Active Duty service members and/or their partners and families, two studies were for Veterans alone, and one study addressed a system-level intervention. Only three studies examined child-level outcomes. All studies reported positive intervention outcomes covering a variety of treatment modalities (i.e., group, couples, individual, online, in-person), which ranged from improved anger management skills, including reduced yelling, reductions in physical and psychological IPV, decreases in parenting practices that could potentially become violent, improvement in overall couples functioning, and increased relationship satisfaction. While all studies reported positive outcomes, their effect sizes ranged from small to large. Conclusion This study had three main findings: (1) The majority of interventions were for Veterans and/or their partners rather than active service personnel; (2) All interventions reported positive outcomes in the reduction of self-reported IPV, with the majority of these outcomes maintained over time; (3) While we intended to assess military family-level interventions that targeted IPV and CM, we only found three studies that targeted or included CM. Future research should explore how different treatment modalities (e.g., couples, individual, group, in-person, online) could affect long-term IPV treatment outcomes and should focus on how to best incorporate children, including documenting if there are children in the household, into IPV treatments/programs for military families.

Drawing wisdom from the Pacific: A Tongan participative approach to exploring and addressing family violence

ABSTRACT The development of qualitative research approaches that are embedded within a Tongan worldview and associated relational practices is pivotal to enhancing knowledge of, and culturally-informed responses to violence within the Tongan kainga (family). We are currently in the early stages of such developments. This reflexive methodological article draws conceptual insights and cultural concepts from the exemplar of a Tongan faith-based family violence prevention programme, which was developed by Tongan community practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand. We document the adaptation of Tauhi va (nurturing loving and harmonious relationships), Nofo (indigenous cultural immersion), and Talanoa (Pacific indigenous ways of dialogue and discussion) in the design and documenting of this culturally-embedded response to such violence. Elsewhere, we have documented the violence programme in question and its implications for participating families, and the broader faith-based community and leaders. In this article we present a Tongan methodology that we hope is used for other scholar activists also engaged in participative action-oriented research within Tongan and other Indigenous communities more broadly.

Experiences of family violence among 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness among youth; however, limited research has examined family violence among 2SLGBTQ + youth experiencing homelessness. The objective of this study was to engage a group of 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding areas in Ontario, Canada, to examine their experiences of family violence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness and key informants (service providers) participated in online surveys and one-on-one interviews to assess family violence during the pandemic. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed separately and merged for interpretation. Results: The majority of youth experienced various forms of family violence throughout their lives, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Our study highlights the need to identify and address family violence toward 2SLGBTQ + youth.

189Mobilizing for change through UM PEACE (Prevent Elder Abuse and negleCt initiativE) Program

Abstract Focus of Presentation Elder abuse and neglect (EAN) includes psychological, physical, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Malaysia – projected to become an aged nation by 2030 – is not spared. PEACE focuses on protecting elder rights, empowering the community to be actively engaged in elderly issues, and refining the Malaysian law to address existing gaps. Findings Our cohort study revealed that the overall lifetime prevalence of EAN (abuse episodes ever experienced from the age 60) was 8.1% with 4.8%, 3.4%, 1.2%, 0.3% and 1.1% for financial abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect respectively. Perpetrators tend to be family members (adult children) and abuse usually occurs at home. Premature mortality are shown higher among victims. From the legal perspective, the only existing act addressing family violence is the Domestic Violence Act (DVA 1994) and Penal Code. The DVA is neither adequate nor specific to EAN and dynamics of elder abuse. Our findings were presented to the relevant stakeholders including the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Using four main approaches - making findings understandable to policymakers, increasing opportunities for interaction, addressing barriers and ensuring research is relevant allows better communication between researchers and policy makers and ensuring evidence are translated to policy. PEACE are working on drafting the new Elder Act which will be ready by 2021. Conclusions/Implications The PEACE program is an example of how a complex health problem should be addressed. Better communication strategies and multiple interactions between policy makers and PEACE researchers is key to our impactful research. Key messages Dissemination approaches should be timely and consistent with culture to translate research evidence to policy. Protecting the well-being and dignity of our elders is not only a question of conscience or morality, but also a matter of upholding human rights and justice.

Kainga (families) experiences of a Tongan-Indigenous faith-based violence-prevention programme

Christianity is an embedded value system within Pacific cultures that is now being employed to inform efforts to address social issues such as family violence. This article chronicles a Tongan woman’s cultural immersion with 49 Tongan church kainga (families) who participated in the Tongan faith-based Kainga Tu’umalie (Prosperous families) family violence programme. Talanoa (Pacific-Indigenous way of engaging families in research) with three kainga is drawn upon to highlight the impact of the programme in re-awakening the need to rebuild positive familial relationships based on core Tongan Christian values. More broadly, accounts from the kainga foreground the importance of interweaving spiritual faith and Indigenous knowledge in efforts to address family violence. This research also speaks to the importance of leveraging collaborative partnerships between community-based agencies and faith-based communities in addressing social issues.

General Practitioners’ Perspectives about Addressing Family Violence with Men from Refugee and Immigrant Backgrounds in Victoria, Australia

The purpose of this qualitative article is to explore medical general practitioners’ perspectives about addressing family violence with men from refugee and immigrant backgrounds in Victoria, Australia. Ten general practitioners from across Victoria participated in semi-structured interviews. Five major themes relating to general practitioners’ perspectives emerged from the thematic data analysis: 1) preference to focus on mothers and children who experience family violence and not men who use family violence; 2) cultural backgrounds acting as a barrier to address family violence; 3) family violence as linked to resettlement and mental health concerns; 4) need for a culturally-sensitive and collaborative approach; and 5) broader healthcare systems reform required. Study limitations, implications of findings and recommendations for future research are discussed in terms of broader healthcare systems reform. The authors call for the development of a culturally sensitive and collaborative care system to address family violence with men from refugee and immigrant backgrounds in primary care settings.

Personal and professional impacts of work-related stress alleviation strategies among child welfare workers in child advocacy center settings

BackgroundHigh levels of occupational stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue have been challenges affecting social workers, organizations, and service users for decades. Studies have historically focused on quantifying these outcomes, missing the opportunity to qualitatively explore the role of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses in practitioners’ stress experiences.Study Purpose and Methods.Research is particularly lacking regarding the impact of occupational stress on child welfare workers (CWWs) within Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs), a population who routinely works with child abuse victims. This study analyzed three open-ended responses from a national online survey examining compassion fatigue in CACs to understand the impact of work-related stress on CWWs. Thematic analysis identified several themes regarding the professional and personal impact of work-related stress, as well as strategies used to alleviate stress. ResultsCWWs in CAC settings are uniquely impacted by occupational stress at both the personal and professional level. CWWs adopt engaging and avoidant coping behaviors to alleviate work-related stress. Conclusion and implicationsThis qualitative study addresses a critical gap in understanding the differences and commonalities among work-related stress and coping responses to environments deemed stressful by CWWs in CACs. Further research is essential for developing effective stress-management approaches for front line providers addressing family violence.

Implementation of a trauma-informed, evidence-informed intervention for Latinx families experiencing interpersonal violence and child maltreatment: protocol for a pilot randomized control trial of SafeCare+\xae

BackgroundA consistently demonstrated overlap exists between the occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment, yet these issues are historically addressed by distinct systems and programming. The randomized control trial pilot study presented in this article adapts, implements, and tests a new approach for addressing family violence for Latinx families with co-occurring risk for domestic violence and child maltreatment. In doing so, this pilot study addresses the clear need for collaboration between the two fields and focuses on Latinx families, who often face specific challenges regarding seeking and receiving needed services. The primary aim of the current study is a pilot implementation of SafeCare+®, an evidence-based parenting curriculum (SafeCare®) augmented with a healthy relationships curriculum (SafeCare+®). The objectives are a reduction of family violence, improved communication, and a healthy home environment for children in Latinx families with co-occurring domestic violence and child maltreatment.MethodsThis protocol outlines a feasibility, randomized control trial to examine the potential efficacy of SafeCare+. The pilot study is divided into two phases. Components of phase one involve developing a detailed implementation and evaluation plan, including a community needs assessment, determining screening and outcome measures, and assuring all components are culturally appropriate for the target population. Phase two implements the randomization of parents, who are involved in the child welfare system and referred for in-home parenting services, into SafeCare+ or SafeCare as usual. Participants complete assessments regarding mental health, provider-parent relationship, interpersonal violence experiences, and fidelity to the intervention. Analyses will focus on improvement on target outcomes for the intervention group, as well as comparison to the control group.DiscussionThis study will provide evidence on the feasibility and potential effectiveness of an early intervention program aimed at improving communication skills and mental health and reducing incidents of violence for Latinx parents who are involved with the child welfare service system. The findings of the study will inform the decision to progress to a full scale, definitive randomized control trial to test the effectiveness of an intervention, delivered as part of home visitation, for improving outcomes for families with histories of domestic violence.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03041558; registered 2 February, 2017—retrospectively registered.

Violence, communication, and satisfaction among middle-aged adults and older people from Romania

Data on intimate partner violence (IPV) are necessary when planning public health policies aimed at prevention and support. Family communication and satisfaction are essential for health and well-being. Here, we report the findings of a quantitative cross-sectional study performed between 2016 and 2017 on 601 patients (55–93-years-old) who were treated at the Ana Aslan National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics. We explore the answers to one item on the omnibus questionnaire (man-on-women, woman-on-man) regarding: (1) insults, swearing, humiliation; (2) being forced to engage in unwanted sexual intercourse; (3) withholding sexual activity or affection; (4) slapping, kicking, pushing; (5) hitting with a stick or other objects; (6) threatening with a knife or firearm; and (7) financial control, neglect, or food deprivation. Also, the Family Communication Scale (FCS) and Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS) are used. IPV prevalence was generally high, especially for the categories of insults, swearing, humiliation, withholding sexual activity, and affection. More women than men reported IPV, especially insults, swearing, and humiliation. More than a quarter of respondents (men and women) suffered occasionally or often from a form of abuse and experienced emotional abuse. The potential of family communication and satisfaction is relatively good, and these are associated. In the case of low and very low family communication and satisfaction, IPV prevalence was higher for all categories. There is a vicious circle because, on the one hand, violence can provoke emotional distance, and, on the other hand, a lack of intimacy and communication can lead to violence. At the same time, low satisfaction in a relationship can be seen both as a cause and as an effect of violence. Programs and information materials addressing family violence are rarely aimed at people in middle adulthood or older people and are instead focused on young women and children. We believe that this imbalance should be redressed.