Women Survivors Research Articles

When “the Dream Dies” But the Ideal Persists: Representations of the Couple Relationship and Its Connection To Intimate Partner Violence Experiences

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is now recognized internationally as a significant problem against which public action is being taken. However, victims commonly disclose little of this violence. The understanding of sociocultural factors that prevent women from talking about their male partner's violence towards them thus appears to be an important issue. Using a qualitative approach, this study examines the representations that women survivors of IPV draw on to give meaning to the couple relationship and the links that these representations maintain with IPV and the help-seeking process. Nineteen women, who had previously experienced abuse from an intimate partner, participated in semi-structured interviews. Despite the experience of violence, an idealized vision of the couple relationship persists among the majority of respondents and conflicts with their experience of violence. This gap between an ideal and lived experience appears to be a major source of suffering for the participants who thus develop different strategies to preserve their ideal. These strategies appear to have the effect of minimizing and concealing violence.

Training healthcare providers to respond to intimate partner violence against women.

Training healthcare providers to respond to intimate partner violence against women.

Process of forgiveness in the recovery of Chinese women survivors of intimate partner violence: Empowerment, transformation, and integration.

Forgiveness has been found one substantial element in the recovery for women survivors from intimate partner violence following the termination of the abusive relationship. To further investigate the details of forgiveness in this specific context, the present study explored the process of forgiveness using grounded theory. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Chinese women survivors of IPV. The findings suggest that forgiveness is a strength-based process including empowerment, transformation, and integration phases. In the empowerment phase, survivors obtain strength at the intrapersonal, behavioural, and interpersonal levels. In the transformation phase, survivors complete cognitive transformation for their IPV experiences and emotional transformation towards former partners. In the integration phase, survivors-now freed from the past-reflect upon and apply the changes they have undergone. Two trajectories in the process were found. One trajectory is going through stages sequentially and the other trajectory is experiencing back and forth between empowerment and transformation stages before moving into the integration stage. The study's findings broaden our knowledge of the strength-based forgiveness process that women survivors of IPV undergo during recovery. Practitioners and policymakers could develop programmes and policies that support forgiveness by holistically facilitating their recovery and empowerment like assistance in dealing with life difficulties and promoting their reconnection with social networks. To improve the transferability and validity of the findings, the forgiveness of survivors of IPV could be explored in a diverse sample (e.g., survivors with low educational background or live in the rural area).

‘I just want to live’: A case study exploring separation abuse among women in heterosexual relationships

Intimate partner violence is a public health and human rights concern. We aimed to explore the lived experiences of women survivors of separation abuse. Our informants were four South African women who experienced separation abuse by a partner. The women completed semi-structured interviews on their separation experiences and life plans. Following Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, we determined four themes to characterise the women’s experiences: (i) still being fearful of partner; (ii) abusive attempts at power and control over children; (iii) insufficient protection from partner violence; and (iv) resilient living. The experience of separation abuse is an extension of intimate partner violence and is less well studied in developing country settings.

Percepción del suelo pélvico en mujeres supervivientes de violencia sexual. Estudio cualitativo

ObjectiveTo know the perceptions of a group of women survivors of sexual violence about the state and function of their pelvic floor. To recognize the presence of dysfunctions and their relationship to sexual violence, and their perspective on the quality of care for these sequelae. MethodsQualitative phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a self-administered online survey was developed based on the 5th version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to collect data related to sexual dysfunction, in four women survivors of sexual violence. The discourses were analysed, and relevant information was coded to obtain the key statements of the participants. ResultsFour categories emerged (sexual violence, pelvic floor, health care, and support), showing the psychological, sexual, and physical effects of sexual violence, the lack of knowledge about the pelvic floor, and the health care and support obtained and needed. ConclusionsPelvic pain and difficulties in penetration, among other gynaecological and psychological problems, stand out as effects of sexual violence. The women reported a lack of knowledge about the pelvic floor, and lack of awareness of contraction and relaxation of this muscle, and of its possible relationship with sexual dysfunction. In addition, they were unaware of the work of the health professional in addressing physical problems related to the pelvic floor resulting from an episode of sexual violence.

“Where is the Safe Haven?” Transgender Women’s Experiences of Victimization and Help-Seeking across the Life Course

Transgender women report high rates of interpersonal victimization, including child abuse and maltreatment, intimate partner violence and sexual assault, and community and bias-related violence. Transgender individuals experience distinct barriers to help-seeking, including fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence by police, being outed as transgender by partners, and discrimination by social services for survivors of violence. The present study explores experiences of cumulative victimization across the life course and barriers to help-seeking behaviors among a sample of 21 transgender women in Chicago. Study findings can be used to inform interventions that are inclusive of transgender women survivors.

Wounded attachments to disaster recovery: Gendered structural violence and everyday life, Indian experiences explored

In this paper, we suggest that theorising on gendered structural violence and inequalities in disaster recovery would benefit from the in-depth focus on intersections of social relations and processes as they manifest in everyday lives. Drawing from the theorising on neoliberal states, we propose a new theoretical approach of “wounded attachments to disaster recovery”. This theoretical position is informed by the lives of three women survivors from three diverse disasters in India. Five perspectives on gendered disaster recovery experience is then presented: firstly, how the recovery beneficiary categories are an extension of the neoliberal subject position; secondly, how recovery reinforces gendered responsibilities as “building oneself back better”, a respectable mother and provider; thirdly, how recovery causes pain, suffering, and ressentiment; fourthly, how complex inequalities and social relations are lived through and negotiated in the aftermath of disasters; and finally, how women narrate counter cultural everydayness to disaster recovery in their life histories. We suggest that an understanding of intersectionality, or interlocking systems of oppression, as a form of injury, allows to understand power and structures of disaster recovery. Reiterations of such injuries suggest that instead of reducing vulnerability, and injustice, recovery efforts reiterate these very structures of inequality. The failure to operationalize and capture the complexities of structural inequality and injustice in the context of disaster recovery could be overcome by drawing on the work of scholars who recognise the limits of the concept of intersectionality and engage in alternate conceptualizations, such as pain, suffering, trauma and wounded attachments.

The Lived Experience of Older Women Who Are Sexually Abused in the Context of Lifelong IPV.

The present study explores the lived experience of older women who are sexually abused in the context of lifelong intimate partner violence (IPV). An interpretive phenomenological analysis was used, and semi-structured interviews were performed with 19 older women survivors of lifelong IPV and sexual violence. Three themes emerged: sexual violence shaping lifelong IPV, the occurrence of sexual violence in old age in the context of lifelong IPV, and cumulative insights and reflections on being a survivor of lifelong IPV and sexual violence. The transition to aging has a profound impact on the violent relationship dynamics and this should be considered in practical interventions.

Exploring ambivalent rape acknowledgment and posttraumatic stress symptoms among college women who have experienced rape: What’s in a name?

The present study explored rape acknowledgment among 131 college women survivors of rape utilizing three subgroups: acknowledged rape, unacknowledged rape, and ambivalent acknowledgment. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters and parameters of victimization and were compared between the subgroups. Of the participants, 28.2 % were classified as ambivalent rape acknowledgment, 49.6 % as acknowledged rape, and 22.1 % as unacknowledged rape. Across all four PTSD symptom clusters, the ambivalent acknowledgment group had significantly higher PTSD symptoms than the unacknowledged group. With the exception of hyperarousal symptoms, PTSD symptoms did not differ between the acknowledged and ambivalent acknowledgment groups. With regard to potential group differences in exposure to various rape tactics (i.e., physical force, threat, incapacitation), the acknowledged group indicated (a) exposure to a greater number of rape tactics relative to the other groups, (b) higher likelihood of endorsing rape via threat than the ambivalent acknowledgment group, and (c) more frequent endorsement of forcible rape than the unacknowledged group. Results are discussed in light of screening methods to assess for PTSD symptoms among rape survivors, as well as the recent changes to the Title IX law regarding sexual misconduct reports on college campuses.

Phase angle cutoff value as a marker of the health status and functional capacity in breast cancer survivors

Accurate predictive tools are key factors for cancer care. Phase angle (PhA) has been proposed as a marker of cellular health, particularly of cell-membrane integrity. Cutoff values have been proposed, including for cancer survivors. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of the proposed PhA cutoff, as a marker of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) assessed health-status, and functional capacity in breast cancer (BC) survivors. This cross-sectional study included 25 women (50.6 ± 8.6 yrs) survivors of BC, divided into two groups according to the PhA reference value of 5.6° (group 1 [G1]: PhA ≤ 5.6° [n=13]; group 2 [G2]: PhA > 5.6° [n=12]) (Gupta et al. 2008). BIA-assessed health status parameters included: extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), total body water (TBW), PhA, body mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass, body cell mass (BCM). Four functional tests were performed: 30 s chair-stand test, timed up and go test, ball throw test and 6-minute walking test. Results showed G2 had lower ECW/ICW ratio (p=0.001; ES=1.2), ECW/BCM ratio (p=0.001; ES=3.2) and ECW/TBW ratio (p=0.001; ES=4.8). There was no difference in functional capacity between groups. The results of the present study show that patients with higher PhA values have a higher ICW values and preservation in the ECW/ICW ratio, suggesting it's a better cell membrane quality and integrity. Relation of both PhA and cell membrane integrity with functional capacity warrants further research.

VISUAL ETHICAL ANALYSIS: COVERAGE OF THE YAZIDI WOMEN ENSLAVEMENT CASES IN IRAQ

This study provides a review and mapping of the academic literature of journalists' coverage of the ISIS militant group attack on the Yazidi community in 2014 and the Yazidi women survivors. It explicitly discusses the ethicality of a video broadcasted by Al-Iraqiya news of a Yazidi woman confronting her kidnapper and sexual abuser. The paper analyzes the video through both a visual ethical analysis, where the video is analyzed frame by frame, and an ethical analysis with respect to previous ethical approaches. The study concludes that the broadcast of the confrontation was unethical as it discounted both the code of ethics and the ethical duties and values of a journalist. Overall, the paper believes that the Yazidi women's media coverage was unethical, subjective, and disrespectful, and undermining towards the Yazidi survivors.

Relationship Patterns among Women Survivors of Abuse in India

Dating is hushed within the Indian society and this silences the trauma Indian women face in their pre-marital romantic relationships. This study delves into the nature and cyclic patterns that influence an abusive dating relationship. Are abusive behaviours passed down generations and learned in early childhood? What is characterised as an abusive relationship? This article discusses the experience of 11 Indian women in the age range of 20- 25 years who were subjected to abuse within their dating relationship. Thematic analysis was used to arrive at the organizing themes including factors related to perpetrators and victims, characteristics of abuse, families of victims and other psycho-social factors. DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2021.82.1.81-98 Layah Liz Jacob is a Ph.D. Scholar; and Anuradha Sathiyaseelan is Professor, Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka.

Associations between state intimate partner violence-related firearm policies and injuries among women and men who experience intimate partner violence

BackgroundComprehensive state firearm policies related to intimate partner violence (IPV) may have a significant public health impact on non-lethal IPV-related injuries. Research indicates that more restrictive firearm policies may reduce risk for intimate partner homicide, however it is unclear whether firearm policies prevent or reduce the risk of non-lethal IPV-related injuries. This study sought to examine associations between state-level policies and injuries among U.S. IPV survivors.MethodsIndividual-level data were drawn from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a nationally-representative study of noninstitutionalized adults. State-level data were drawn from a firearm policy compendium. Multivariable regressions were used to test associations of individual policies with non-fatal IPV-related injuries (N = 5493). Regression models were also conducted to explore differences in the policy-injury associations among women and men survivors.ResultsThree categories of policies were associated with IPV-related injuries. The odds of injuries was lower for IPV survivors living in states that prohibited firearm possession and require firearm relinquishment among persons convicted of IPV-related misdemeanors (aOR [95% CI] = .76 [.59, .97]); prohibited firearm possession and require firearm relinquishment among persons subject to IPV-related restraining orders (aOR [95% CI] = .81 [.66, .98]); and prohibited firearm possession among convicted of stalking (aOR [95% CI] = .82 [.68, .98]) than IPV survivors living in states without these policies. There was a significant difference between women and men survivors in the association between IPV-related misdemeanors policy and injuries (B [SE] = .60 [.29]), such that the association was stronger for men survivors (aOR [95% CI] = .10 [.06, .17]) than women survivors (aOR [95% CI] = .60 [.48, .76]).ConclusionsRestrictive state firearm policies regarding IPV may provide unique opportunities to protect IPV survivors from injuries.

Materiality and Discursivity of Cyber Violence Against Women in India

With the advent of the digital age and online networks, a new facet of human experience materialised called the cyberspace. In other words, it is an addition to an individual’s intrapsychic world. Millions of people are using the Internet as a day-to-day activity to enhance their lives while at the same time there are people who are using it for anti-social purposes such as stalking, harassing, bullying and so on. This, with the advent of the Internet, has become a new weapon of abuse. This research intends to bring the two realms of virtual and physical, which are considered as binaries into a productive dialogue on violence against women. In doing so, it takes forward the narratives of cyber violence survivors into rethinking the construction of disembodied and embodied violence. I pursue this aim by exploring how women survivors of India conceptualise and respond to cyber violence. This is a qualitative exploratory study located within the theoretical framework of feminist standpoint theory in order to engage each survivor’s story from their individual standpoint. An in-depth interview was conducted for 30 women survivors in India. This study will help to critically understand cyber violence as an embodied experience.

Risk of infertility in female adolescents and young adults with cancer: a population-based cohort study.

STUDY QUESTIONDo female adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have a higher risk of subsequent infertility diagnosis than AYAs without cancer?SUMMARY ANSWERFemale AYAs with breast, hematological, thyroid and melanoma cancer have a higher risk of subsequent infertility diagnosis.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYCancer therapies have improved substantially, leading to dramatic increases in survival. As survival improves, there is an increasing emphasis on optimizing the quality of life among cancer survivors. Many cancer therapies increase the risk of infertility, but we lack population-based studies that quantify the risk of subsequent infertility diagnosis in female AYAs with non-gynecological cancers. The literature is limited to population-based studies comparing pregnancy or birth rates after cancer against unexposed women, or smaller studies using markers of the ovarian reserve as a proxy of infertility among female survivors of cancer.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONWe conducted a population-based cohort study using universal health care databases in the province of Ontario, Canada. Using data from the Ontario Cancer Registry, we identified all women 15–39 years of age diagnosed with the most common cancers in AYAs (brain, breast, colorectal, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid and melanoma) from 1992 to 2011 who lived at least 5 years recurrence-free (Exposed, n = 14,316). Women with a tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy previous to their cancer diagnosis were excluded. We matched each exposed woman by age, census subdivision, and parity to five randomly selected unexposed women (n = 60,975) and followed subjects until 31 December 2016.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSInfertility diagnosis after 1 year of cancer was identified using information on physician billing codes through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan database (ICD-9 628). Modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the risk of infertility diagnosis (relative risk, RR) adjusted for income quintile and further stratified by parity at the time of cancer diagnosis (nulliparous and parous).MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEMean age at cancer diagnosis was 31.4 years. Overall, the proportion of infertility diagnosis was higher in cancer survivors compared to unexposed women. Mean age of infertility diagnosis was similar among cancer survivors and unexposed women (34.8 years and 34.9 years, respectively). The overall risk of infertility diagnosis was higher in cancer survivors (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.23–1.37). Differences in infertility risk varied by type of cancer. Survivors of breast cancer (RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.30–1.65), leukemia (RR 1.56; 95% CI 1.09–2.22), Hodgkin lymphoma (RR 1.49; 95% CI 1.28–1.74), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14, 1.76), thyroid cancer (RR 1.20; 95% CI 1.10–1.30) and melanoma (RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.01, 1.35) had a higher risk of infertility diagnosis compared to women without cancer. After stratification by parity, the association remained in nulliparous women survivors of breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and melanoma, whereas it was attenuated in parous women. In survivors of thyroid cancer, the association remained statistically significant in both nulliparous and parous women. In survivors of brain or colorectal cancer, the association was not significant, overall or after stratification by parity.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONNon-biological factors that may influence the likelihood of seeking a fertility assessment may not be captured in administrative databases. The effects of additional risk factors, including cancer treatment, which may modify the associations, need to be assessed in future studies.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSReproductive health surveillance in female AYAs with cancer is a priority, especially those with breast cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. Our finding of a potential effects of thyroid cancer (subject to over-diagnosis) and, to a lesser extent, melanoma need to be further studied, and, if an effect is confirmed, possible mechanisms need to be elucidated.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)Funding was provided by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen’s University. There are no competing interests to declare.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERN/A

Mapping Complex Systems: Responses to Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Three Refugee Camps

Armed conflict and forced migration are associated with an increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. Yet as risks of IPV intensify, familiar options for seeking help dissipate as families and communities disperse and seek refuge in a foreign country. The reconfiguration of family and community systems, coupled with the presence of local and international humanitarian actors, introduces significant changes to IPV response pathways. Drawing from intensive fieldwork, this article examines response options available to women seeking help for IPV in refugee camps against the backdrop of efforts to localize humanitarian assistance. This study employed a qualitative approach to study responses to IPV in three refugee camps: Ajuong Thok (South Sudan), Dadaab (Kenya), and Domiz (Iraqi Kurdistan). In each location, data collection activities were conducted with women survivors of IPV, members of the general refugee community, refugee leaders, and service providers. The sample included 284 individuals. Employing visual mapping techniques, analysis of data from these varied sources described help seeking and response pathways in the three camps, and the ways in which women engaged with various systems. The analysis revealed distinct pathways for seeking help in the camps, with several similarities across contexts. Women in all three locations often “persevered” in an abusive partnership for extended periods before seeking help. When women did seek help, it was predominantly with family members initially, and then community-based mechanisms. Across camps, participants typically viewed engaging formal IPV responses as a last resort. Differences between camp settings highlighted the importance of understanding complex informal systems, and the availability of organizational responses, which influenced the sequence and speed with which formal systems were engaged. The findings indicate that key factors in bridging formal and community-based systems in responding to IPV in refugee camps include listening to women and understanding their priorities, recognizing the importance of women in camps maintaining life-sustaining connections with their families and communities, engaging communities in transformative change, and shifting power and resources to local women-led organizations.

'Now My Eyes are Open': Latina women's experiences in long-term support groups for intimate partner violence survivors.

One in four women has experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. The effects of intimate partner violence on women's mental health may be long-term; possible conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Latina women may be particularly vulnerable to long-term effects of intimate partner violence. The purpose of this study was to describe Latina women's experiences in long-term support groups for survivors of intimate partner violence. Forty-nine Latina women were interviewed about their experiences in a nurse-led long-term support group, with participation from 2months to 9years. The women ranged in age from 26 to 73years and all but two interviews were in Spanish. Five themes emerged from the qualitative data: awakening, transformation, community, empowerment, and advocate. Women described their thoughts of still feeling the 'ugliness of the abuse', even years after it occurred with some women enduring abuse for as long as 32years. The need for long-term support groups was evident as women described the value of the group for providing support and gaining an understanding that they are not alone, or their awakening to the idea that they can have a life without abuse. Long-term support groups give voice to Latina women who are survivors of intimate partner violence. By raising their awareness and sense of community, women survivors can be transformed and empowered to improve their lives and advocate for others who face similar struggles.

Role of Social Support in Women facing Domestic Violence during Lockdown of Covid-19 while Cohabiting with the Abusers: Analysis of Cases Registered with the Family Counseling Centre, Alwar, India.

The present study aims to analyze the role of social support in the lives of women survivors of domestic violence who filed a complaint with the Mahila Salah and Suraksha Kendra (MSSK) Alwar, India, while residing with the abusive husband and his family during the lockdown period of COVID-19. The study explores the role of MSSK with extended vulnerability of women during the lockdown period at large. This study adopts an exploratory qualitative method. A total of 36 married women who had filed a complaint with MSSK before and during the lockdown were included. Interviews with the women were held through telephonic conversations on vulnerability, coping mechanism and extent and forms of social support. Thematic content analysis was done in a stepwise manner. Results show that degeneration of social support model is time -bound and the accuracy of applying this model wane under extended condition of vulnerability caused due to COVID-19. MSSK can expand support by creating and integrating virtual community networks to detect and deter violence during the lockdown. The study suggests that the government can ensure and empower bystanders with skills of modern communication. The existing physical institutional delivery mechanism need to evolve strategies that are resilient to emerging threats from the vulnerable ecosystem.

Impact of comorbidities and treatment burden on general well-being among women\u2019s cancer survivors

BackgroundGains in cancer detection and treatment have meant that more patients are now living with both cancer and other chronic health conditions, which may become burdensome. We used the Patient Experience with Treatment and Self-Management (PETS) framework to study challenges in self-management and its impact on health among survivors of women’s cancers who are caring for other chronic health conditions.MethodsApplicability of the PETS domains among survivors of women’s cancers with comorbidities was assessed in focus groups to create the study survey. Women surviving primary breast, cervical, ovarian, or endometrial/uterine cancer treated between 6 months and 3 years prior at two large healthcare systems in Virginia were mailed study invitation letters to complete a telephone-based survey. The survey included questions on cancer treatment history, comorbid conditions prior to cancer, treatment and self-management experiences, health literacy, financial security, and items on self-management activities, self-management difficulties and self-management impact (i.e., role/social activity limitations and physical/mental exhaustion). Additionally, general health was assessed with items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Hierarchical regression models and path analysis were used to examine correlates of self-management impact on general physical health (GPH) and mental health (GMH).ResultsOf 1448 patients contacted by mail, 274 (26%) returned an interest form providing their consent to be contacted. Of these, 183 completed the survey. Reasons for non-completion included ineligibility (42), unable to be reached (33) and refusal (6). The majority were survivors of breast (58%) or endometrial/uterine cancer (28%), and 45% resided in non-urban locations. After adjusting for age, race, and cancer type, survivors with higher self-management difficulty reported higher self-management impact, which was associated with lower perceived general health. Reports of higher self-management impact was associated with being single or unmarried, white race, fulltime employed, higher financial insecurity, lower health literacy and more comorbidities. In path analysis, self-management impact was a significant mediator in the association of comorbidity and financial insecurity on GPH and GMH.ConclusionsAmong survivors of women’s cancer, pre-diagnosis comorbidity, health literacy, and financial security are associated with psychosocial impact of self-management and general physical and mental health in the 6 month to 3-year period after cancer treatment has ended. The impact of self-management on psychosocial functioning is an important factor among cancer survivors caring for multiple chronic health conditions. This study provides evidence on the importance of assessing cancer survivors’ self-management difficulties such as in future interventions to promote health and wellness.

Exploring the Benefits of an Arts-Based Mindfulness Group Intervention for Teachers, University Students, and Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) teach practices that encourage the development of present moment awareness through paying attention on purpose and non-judgmentally to one’s experiences, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. We describe three graduate student research thesis projects that explored the suitability and benefits of an arts-based MBI with three different populations; teachers, university students, and women survivors of intimate partner violence. These three populations have been identified as experiencing heightened levels of stress and in need of resilience building supports. All three projects were qualitative pilot studies that explored whether participants would experience increased understanding and development of mindfulness-based skills, and improved coping with stress through participating in the program. Pre- and post-MBI group interviews were conducted, and interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Across the three projects, the student researchers found self-reported benefits with no adverse effects. Developing mindfulness-based skills helped the participants to build their self-awareness/understanding which in turn helped to develop emotion regulation. This is consistent with our understanding of how MBIs can build people’s capacity to make conscious choices about their feelings rather than reacting to emotional triggers. Improved coping with stress was also reported in all three projects. Developing present-moment awareness and mindfulness can help people appreciate life’s moments, and cope better with daily life stressors. Also important was the growth of self-compassion and acceptance. The results are promising and indicate that further exploration with these populations is warranted. Future research could explore an arts-based approach to facilitating mindfulness with larger numbers of participants and using control and/or comparison groups.