Victim Support Research Articles

Mental health consequences of home demolition policy towered Palestinians: Literature review

Home demolition is considered a miserable and frequent reality of life for thousands of Palestinian people. Recently, in January 2020, at least 44 structures were demolished by Israeli forces, displacing at least 87 people. Studies have revealed high levels of stress was associated with losing a family home during home demolition, and the stress doesn’t only carry out immediate effects but also long-term mental consequences. This paper aims to provide an overview of the literature and established studies related to the mental health consequences of home demolitions in Palestine.MethodsPubMed, Science Direct, Semantic Scholar and Google Scholar were used to search for materials for the critical analysis of empirical articles. The following aspects were taken into consideration: study type, sample, and key findings.ResultsIn this review, nine studies related to mental health consequences of home demolition were found and considered in this paper. The results indicate depression, stress, anxiety, phobias and lack of hope in the future are mutual themes running throughout the lives of those Palestinian families who have actually experienced home demolition along with those who have experienced a constant threat of demolition to their homes. In addition, many of life stressors such as lack of educational opportunities, low incomes, and a tendency to live in poor housing conditions after and before demolition also play a role in developing serious mental disorders.ConclusionAs primary prevention, the practice of home demolition in Palestine has to be ended. In addition to conduct a constant monitoring of the resulting displacement and the damage caused, and ensuring the necessary assistance in particular mental health and psychological support for victims of home demolitions.

Development of flood hazard map and emergency relief operation system using hydrodynamic modeling and machine learning algorithm

This study performs flood hazard mapping and evaluates community flood coping strategies. In addition, it proposes a humanitarian aid information system (HAIS) to enhance emergency support for flood victims. First, a flood hazard map was prepared using the hydrodynamic model (HM)–FLO 2D coupled with a machine learning algorithm (MLA)-scaled conjugate gradient neural network (SCG-NN). The performance of the MLA was evaluated using a validation dataset and statistical measures such as the mean square error (MSE: 0.080), root mean square error (RMSE: 0.282), and coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.830). According to the generated flood hazard map, most of the study area was classified as low (47.85%) or moderate (27.47%) hazardous zones, whereas only a small portion was delineated as high (20.64%) or very high (4.04%) hazardous zones. The accuracy of the hazard map (HM-MLA) versus the ground truth was tested statistically and was found to be high. Second, an investigation of local flood management strategies revealed that the current information system is not well prepared for emergencies, including the quantification of emergency relief necessities. Therefore, an HAIS, which specifies hazard information and quantifies emergency aids (food items) for flood victims, can be an effective emergency preparedness tool. We calculated the required emergency aid considering satellite-derived flood data. Finally, we conclude that the proposed HAIS will help humanitarian organizations and government agencies coordinate and perform relief operations effectively in the worst-hit regions across the country.

Characterising mental health and addictions and assault-related health care use in the year prior to death: a population-based linked cohort study of homicide victims.

IntroductionHomicide is an important cause of death for older youth and adult Canadians; however, little is known about health care use prior to death among this population.ObjectivesTo characterise health care use for mental health and addictions (MHA) and serious assault (herein referred to assault) one year prior to death among individuals who died by homicide in Ontario, Canada using linked mortality and health care utilisation data.MethodsWe report rates of health care use for MHA and assault in the year prior to death among all individuals 16 years and older in Ontario, Canada, who died by homicide from April 2003 to December 2012 (N = 1,541). Health care use for MHA included inpatient stays, emergency department (ED) visits and outpatient visits, whereas health care use for assault included only hospital-based care (ED visits and inpatient stays). Sociodemographic characteristics and health care utilisation were examined across homicide deaths, stratified by sex.ResultsOverall, 28.5% and 5.9% of homicide victims sought MHA and assault care in the year prior to death, respectively. A greater proportion of females accessed care for MHA, whereas a greater proportion of males accessed assault-related health care. Males were more likely to be hospitalised following an ED visit for a MHA or assault related reason, in comparison to females. The most common reason for a MHA hospital visit was for substance-related disorders. We found an increase over time for hospital-based visits for assault prior to death, a trend that was not observed for MHA-related visits.ConclusionsA large proportion of homicide victims interacted with the health care system for MHA or assault in the year prior to death. An increase in hospital-based visits for assault-related reasons prior to death was observed. These trends may offer insight into avenues for support and prevention for victims of homicide.

Sexual minority youth's mental health and substance use: The roles of victimization, cybervictimization, and non-parental adult support.

Victimization is a well-established driver of sexual minority youth's (SMY) mental health and substance use risk. The current study examined and extended this research by exploring how victimization, cybervictimization, and non-parental supportive adults contribute to SMY's vulnerability to poor mental health and substance use. Using data from the first representative sample of Texas youth that measures sexual identity, we analyzed sex-stratified models of the association between sexual identity, mental health, and substance use, and the confounding effects of victimization, cybervictimization, and non-parental adult support. Victimization was more common among SMY and accounted for a greater proportion of sexual identity disparities on mental health and substance use, especially for males. Sexual minority females were more likely to report cybervictimization than heterosexual youth, and cybervictimization was associated with mental health risk. SMY reported fewer available non-parental supportive adults, which was associated with more sadness, suicidality, and polysubstance use. Our study adds to extant evidence that victimization drives SMY's increased susceptibility to mental health and substance use risk. Schools should implement inclusive policies that prohibit bullying based on sexual minority identity and offer professional development opportunities for supporting SMY.

Experience and support of Chinese healthcare professionals as second victims of patient safety incidents: A cross-sectional study.

To describe the experience and support of Chinese healthcare professionals as second victims of PSIs. A cross-sectional study with anonymous online self-report questionnaires was adopted. A total of 1357 Chinese healthcare professionals participated in this study. The Chinese version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (C-SVEST) was used to evaluate the experience of second victims and the quality of support resources. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. This study showed that 350 participants (25.8%) had been involved in PSIs during their careers. The majority of respondents who had experienced PSIs agreed they suffered more from psychological distress, followed by professional self-efficacy distress, and physical distress. Besides, they regarded colleague support and management support as the most desirable support. Statistically significant differences were reported in some items. First, compared with medical staff without professional titles, staff with professional titles suffered more from psychological distress but gained more support from colleagues. The second victim phenomenon deserves further attention. The programs focusing on training qualified colleagues to provide emotional support should be developed, implemented, and evaluated. Moreover, it is necessary to build a better patient safety culture with nonpunitive responses and encourage the disclosure and reporting of PSIs.

El fenómeno de segunda víctima en un área quirúrgica: Encuesta online

Background and aim of studyAn effective and accessible first source of support for second victims (SV) is usually the colleagues themselves, who should have tools to help emotionally and detect the unusual course of a SV. The aim of this work is to assess health professionals’ perception of the phenomenon, as well as their capability to apply psychological first aid. Material and methodsObservational descriptive study through online surveys answered anonymously. Participants were different health professionals from surgical area, mainly from a third-level hospital. Results329 responses, 67 anaesthesiologists, 110 anaesthesiologists in training, 152 nurses. 78.4% had felt SV, more frequent among anaesthesiologists; however, 58% had never heard of the term. Guilt was the most frequent emotion. Residents were more afraid of judgmental colleagues and thought more about drop out their training. From those who sought help, most did it through a colleague, but most did not feel useful in helping a SV. 66% affirmed there is a still punitive, evasive or silent culture about medical incidents. ConclusionsDespite the frequency of the phenomenon there is still lack of knowledge of the term SV. Impact of the phenomenon is heterogenous and changes based on experience and responsibility. Colleagues are the first source of emotional help but there is a lack of tools to be able to provide it. Institutions are urged to create training programs so that professionals can guarantee «psychological first aid».

Promoting the Psychological Well-Being of Healthcare Providers Facing the Burden of Adverse Events: A Systematic Review of Second Victim Support Resources.

Given the negative impact of adverse events on the wellbeing of healthcare providers, easy access to psychological support is crucial. We aimed to describe the types of support resources available in healthcare organizations, their benefits for second victims, peer supporters’ experiences, and implementation challenges. We also explored how these resources incorporate aspects of Safety I and Safety II. We searched six databases up to 19 December 2019 and additional literature, including weekly search alerts until 21 January 2021. Two reviewers independently performed all methodological steps (search, selection, quality assessment, data extraction, formal narrative synthesis). The 16 included studies described 12 second victim support resources, implemented between 2006 and 2017. Preliminary data indicated beneficial effects not only for the affected staff but also for the peer responders who considered their role to be challenging but gratifying. Challenges during program implementation included persistent blame culture, limited awareness of program availability, and lack of financial resources. Common goals of the support programs (e.g., fostering coping strategies, promoting individual resilience) are consistent with Safety II and may promote system resilience. Investing in second victim support structures should be a top priority for healthcare institutions adopting a systemic approach to safety and striving for just culture.

Perceived friend support buffers against symptoms of depression in peer victimized adolescents: Evidence from a population-based cohort in South Korea

BackgroundPeer victimization is associated with an increased risk for depression, but there is less evidence on how certain factors such as friend support can buffer this association. This study investigated the associations between friend support and depressive symptoms among victimized and non-victimized adolescent girls and boys from South Korea. MethodsParticipants includes 2258 students from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey, a nationally representative sample of middle school students in South Korea. Self-reported perceived friend support, depressive symptoms and peer victimization were measured using validated scales during middle school year 3 (mean age= 15.7 years). ResultsThe association between peer victimization and depressive symptoms varied by sex (p for sex by peer victimization interaction<0.05). Peer victimization was more strongly associated with same year depressive symptoms in girls (β=0.55) than boys (β=0.24). After controlling for key confounders, including prior year mental health symptoms, higher levels of friend support were found to attenuate the association between peer victimization and depressive symptoms (p for friend support by peer victimization interaction <0.05). Peer victimization was associated with more depressive symptoms for adolescents with low and moderate friend support, but not those with high friend support. LimitationsPeer victimization, depressive symptoms, and friend support, were self-reported and measured the same year. ConclusionsFriend support protects victimized South Korean adolescents from the negative effect of peer victimization on depressive symptoms, hence contributes to closing the gap in depression between victimized and non-victimized adolescents.

Nurses as 'second victims' to their patients' suicidal attempts: A mixed-method study.

To understand the effects of patients' suicidal attempts and events on nurses' second victim symptoms and to explore the association between these experiences and nurse absenteeism and turnover. The term 'second victim' is when a healthcare professional expresses psychological symptom following adverse patient event. This has been previously shown to be associated with absenteeism and higher staff turnover. A mixed-methods study with a sequential exploratory approach. A qualitative approach was used for nurses to relate their experiences of their patients' suicidal attempts. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in 150 nurses who worked in internal departments. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool was used to substantiate and measure second victim related distress of nurses who treated suicidal patients. The qualitative data were analysed by a constant comparative analysis method. The analytic analysis of the quantitative study included Pearson's correlations and hierarchical linear regression model to assess the explanatory variables to absenteeism and staff turnover. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies and the COREQ guidelines for qualitative studies. The qualitative part identified three themes and nine sub-themes, including the new variable 'sense of being alone'. The quantitative part of the study found that nurses expressed a medium level of second victim related distress. After controlling for demographic variables, second victim distress and the sense of being alone following patients' suicidal events may explain nurse absenteeism and turnover. Nurses who experience suicidal attempts of their patients react as second victims. These symptoms lead to nurse absenteeism and turnover. Nurses who experience suicidal attempts of their patients need treatment and support as second victims, the same as in any other medical adverse event. The nursing leadership should emotionally support these nurses and prevent consequential staff organisational problems.

Discursive representations of restorative justice in international policies

The European Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)8 concerning restorative justice in criminal matters, and the recently updated United Nations Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes testify to the increasing policy recognition of restorative justice at the international level. And yet, despite the vast and burgeoning literature on restorative justice, limited research and critical analysis have been conducted on policies, and even less on international policies and instruments. As a result, we know little about how restorative justice is framed within policy and how such framings could contribute towards the development of this field in practice. Addressing this gap, this article seeks to understand the ways in which restorative justice is construed within international policies and their conditions of possibility, using a ‘policy-as-discourse’ analytical approach. The article also elicits implications for the study of the relationships between restorative justice policy and practice and for future research on the institutionalization of this ‘new’ frontier of penality internationally.

Men’s experiences of help‐seeking for female‐perpetrated intimate partner violence: A qualitative exploration

AbstractThe subject of female‐perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) against men has been one of controversy, with well‐rehearsed arguments surrounding both the nature and existence of female‐perpetrated abuse against men. The aims of this study were to explore men's help‐seeking experiences and/or their perceptions of utilising support services/support networks following IPV victimisation. Consequently, this study explored the help‐seeking experiences of 26, largely British, men who self‐identified as having experienced female‐perpetrated IPV. As the focus was on subjective experiences, a qualitative design was employed. Participation was invited from men who had sought help for their IPV victimisation from a range of sources and those who had not sought help at all. Semi‐structured interviews explored the men's experiences of seeking help, and barriers to seeking help, following IPV. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Some of the participants who took part in this study had received formal support for their experiences of IPV (i.e. counselling, calling IPV helplines and support services, contact with social workers or the police) and informal support (e.g. speaking to work colleagues, family and friends). Five participants had never spoken to anybody about their experiences prior to taking part in the interview. A range of barriers prevented the men from seeking help. First and foremost, the importance of maintaining a sense of masculinity consistently underpinned the participants’ narratives. The men's fear of being judged negatively by others was often not unfounded. Negative help‐seeking experiences included being treated with suspicion and contempt. Positive help‐seeking experiences facilitated the men in recognising their relationship as abusive, which for some of the men was influential in their decision to leave or seek help. The lack of recognition and understanding of male IPV within society was of concern to most of the men. Some expressed a desire to use their own experiences in order to help other men in abusive relationships. These results have important implications for the development of appropriate support for male victims, including the need for practitioners to be non‐judgemental whilst assisting men in recognising their relationship as abusive.

Bullying discussions in UK female influencers’ YouTube comments

ABSTRACT Victims of bullying are often reluctant to seek formal support, and instead, internalise their emotions, hindering recovery. Some will subsequently encounter discussions of bullying online, giving them an unexpected opportunity to share their feelings or experience vicarious support. In this article, we investigate reactions to discussions of offline and online bullying in the comments posted to the YouTube channels of 34 popular UK female lifestyle influencers. We used a thematic analysis of keywords associated with comments mentioning bullying to identify bullying-related themes. The almost universally supportive comments position female YouTube influencer channels as sources of unexpected indirect support for victims that professionals may also recommend. The comments also reveal a previously undiscussed strategy for helping victims: abstraction.

The effect of digital mass media on mental health of children and youth

The article considers the impact of digital media on mental health of children and the youth based on the analysis of studies of national and foreign researchers. On the one hand, the application of information technologies by children and the youth is related to requirements of actual reality that allows them to be active and independent in virtual space and contributes to development of special skills and abilities, exchange of knowledge and experience, broadens scope of interests. On the other hand, the information media establish conditions of high risk for health. The article presents the results of an empirical study, carried out in 2019 at the Balashov Institute of the Saratov State University. The questionnaire survey was applied to sampling of 386 respondents to identify the relationship between the amount of time spent online by young people and the feeling of loneliness. The study discovered that the higher is the user Internet activity that is not accompanied by sense of satisfaction, the higher is the level of frustration and loneliness. The problem areas are identified that make it difficult to ensure the effective safety of users and the timely identification of threats to their mental health: the shortage and fragmentation of scientific research; the ambiguity of opinions of expert community regarding the impact of digital technologies on the development of children and adolescents; the complexity of social control of online users due to their social demographic and sociocultural heterogeneity; the conflict of interests between providers, business structures, advertisers and other subjects of virtual reality and underage users; low level of internet literacy of parents and teachers. All these factors hinder the development of adequate technologies of early detection, prevention and support of victims of cyberaggression or cybercrimes.

The means of optimization of medical care support of victims of road traffic accidents at the hospital stage: The publications review

The road traffic traumatism remains among the most actual medical social problems in Russia. The injured because of road traffic accidents suffer of predominant severe multiple and combined injuries (polytrauma) very often resulting in permanent disablement and lethal outcomes. The existing three-level system of traumatologic centers to supply specialized medical care of the injured in road traffic accidents demonstrates efficiency only on condition of observation of routing of patients. The new organizational approaches to specialized medical care to the injured at the hospital stage is needed for further decreasing of lethality and disability in group of victims of road traffic accidents.

Goon Squad Democracy? The Rise of Vigilant Citizenship through Victim Support and Neighborhood Watches in Amsterdam (1980-1990)

This paper analyses the rise of a new kind of urban citizenship in the context of the urban crisis of the 1980s: the vigilant citizen, characterized by a view of citizens as possible victims, who assume and are called upon to take responsibility for social safety. Top-down policy explanations insufficiently clarify why the polarized debate over urban petty crime developed into a consensus by the mid-1980s. Tying in with recent trends in urban police history, this paper shows the diversity of bottom-up actors in Amsterdam that helped to, sometimes unintentionally, further a communitarian “social safety” agenda: vigilantes and victim-support groups, the former based in more conservative circles, the latter partly inspired by women advocacy groups. These actors entered into a sometimes-tense dynamic with the police and municipality, which took up the challenge of providing victim support and of educating the public for neighborhood prevention. This slowly yielded results.

Not All Survivors Are the Same: Qualitative Assessment of Prior Violence, Risks, Recovery and Perceptions of Firearms and Violence Among Victims of Firearm Injury

Qualitative exploration into the risk, experiences, and outcomes of victims of firearm injury is imperative to informing not only further research, but prevention and intervention strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore prior violent exposures, risks, recovery, supportive services, outcomes, and views of firearms and violence among survivors of firearm assaults and unintentional injuries. Adults treated at a level 1 trauma center in Seattle, WA, for assault and unintentional firearm injuries were interviewed utilizing a semistructured instrument. Interview responses were coded to identify common themes and representative quotes are reported. Sixteen participants were interviewed. Notable themes included the following: (a) prior violent exposures were experienced by half of survivors, mostly through community violence; (b) risk for firearm injury was felt to be related to general societal violence, unsafe communities, and firearm practices; (c) important aspects of recovery included family/social support, mental health care and financial support services; (d) notable outcomes included psychological problems such as PTSD and anxiety, changes in relationships, and developing a new sense of purpose or mission in life; (e) generally negative views toward firearms, supporting restricted access and firearm safety practices; (f) acknowledgement of the complexity of firearm violence in society with prevention geared toward equitable education, economic opportunities and safety net programs to reduce community violence; and (g) disappointment in the criminal justice system. These findings demonstrate the varied experiences, needs, and outcomes after injury, but highlight the significance of community and societal violence, and need for improved mental health services. Integration of mental health services and victim assistance programs into trauma centers and hospital-based violence intervention programs is imperative for all survivors. Encouraging survivors to engage in new aspirations after injury can be empowering, and there is an unmet need for victim support and advocacy within the criminal justice system.

Understanding the Second Victim Experience Among Multidisciplinary Providers in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of second victim experience (SVE) among obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) clinical and nonclinical healthcare workers and compare healthcare workers who did and did not identify as a second victim (SV) in the last year. The validated Second Victim Experience and Support Tool and additional questions designed to explore SVE topics specific to OBGYN healthcare workers were administered to a multidisciplinary group. Of 571 individuals sent a survey link, 205 completed the survey: 117 worked in obstetrics (OB), 73 in gynecology (GYN), and 15 in both areas. Overall, 44.8% of respondents identified as an SV sometime during their career, 18.8% within the last 12 months. Among nonclinical staff respondents, 26.7% identified as an SV during their career and 13.3% in the last 12 months. Respondents who identified as an SV in the last 12 months reported experiencing significantly more psychological and physical distress, a greater degree to which colleague and institutional support were perceived as inadequate, decreased professional self-efficacy, and increased turnover intentions. The most common events identified as likely triggers for SVE were fetal or neonatal loss (72.7%) and maternal death (68.2%) in OB and patient accusations or complaints (69.3%) in GYN. Among survey respondents, there was a high prevalence of SVs in OBGYN staff, distributed equally between OB and GYN. Nonclinical healthcare workers also identified as SVs. The OBGYN departments should consider using the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool to screen for potential SV among their healthcare workers to provide additional support after events.

Validation of the Danish version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool.

Health-care professionals (HCPs) who are involved in an unanticipated adverse patient event, a medical error or a patient-related injury can become second victims. Being a second victim can lead to various symptoms, affecting the well-being of HCPs and possible turnover intentions or absenteeism. An increasing number of hospitals have implemented a second-victim support programme. To achieve unique insights into what works and what does not work in second-victim support programmes, HCPs' perceptions are needed. The aim of this study was to translate the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) into Danish and test the psychometric properties of the Danish version (D-SVEST). The SVEST self-administered questionnaire was translated into Danish following the World Health Organization's guidelines. Assessments of the content validity, construct validity and internal consistency were performed based on 171 participants. The study demonstrated that the D-SVEST is content valid and fits the a priori defined structure. Yet, four items revealed unacceptable factor loadings (<0.4) and item-rest correlations <0.3. All Cronbach's alpha estimates for these five dimensions exceeded 0.70. The dimensions on colleague and institutional support did not contribute to the validity. In conclusion, the D-SVEST is considered relevant and valid for measuring second-victim experiences and the adequacy of support resources. However, we recommend a modification of items 9 and 25 to enhance the measurement scale in a Danish context. The D-SVEST can be used by health-care management at Danish hospitals.

The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool: A Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation in Italy (IT-SVEST).

Second victims are defined as healthcare workers involved in an unanticipated adverse patient event, who experienced professional and psychological distress. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) is a survey developed and validated in the United States, which describes the experience of second victims. This study aims to perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the SVEST and to evaluate its psychometric characteristics in the Italian context. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation process was performed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Then, 349 healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, residents, and technicians, involved in direct patient care-a potential second victim-completed the Italian version of SVEST in a validation survey at the Academic Hospital of Udine. The SVEST consists of 29 items, divided into 7 dimensions, 2 outcome variables, and 7 support options. The Italian version was assessed for internal consistency through Cronbach α, for content validity with content validity index for scales and for item and for construct validity with Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The internal consistency of the instrument was adequate in its overall evaluation with Cronbach α value of 0.88 (95% confidence interval = 0.86). The content validity index for scales was 0.94 and that for item was 0.70. The confirmatory factor analysis results showed a good model fit for the 9-factor structure (χ2 = 676.18, df = 327, P < 0.001). Root mean squared error of approximation, Akaike information criterion, and comparative fix index Tucker-Lewis index values also suggested a good fit to the data. The Italian version of the SVEST can be used to evaluate second victim experiences, demonstrating adequate validity, reliability, and good psychometric properties.

Policy and Professional Responses to Forced Marriage in Scotland

AbstractThis article draws from our mixed methods study of forced marriage (FM) in Scotland focusing on policy and practice responses to FM in Scotland using the concepts of candidacy and structural competency. Through an analysis of FM policy in six case-study areas, interviews with Child or Adult Protection Leads and twenty-one interviews with a range of welfare professionals, we discuss the conceptual, emotional and practical challenges of responding to FM. Despite a standard Scottish Government policy and statutory framework, the varied policy and professional responses to FM across local authorities demonstrate a need for practitioners to be fully cognisant of the ways in which structural inequalities play out in individual lives. The four key themes explored in this article are as follows: (i) patchy ownership of FM policy at a local level; (ii) ‘race anxiety’; (iii) event versus process-based understandings of FM and (iv) the challenges of protecting adults experiencing FM who have capacity. These themes are highly relevant to social work practice and offer a significant and original analysis of the ways in which structural, social and cultural factors shape practitioner understanding, response and support of victims of FM.