scholarly journals If we can imagine it, we can build it: Developing Complexity Theory-Informed Methodologies

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 160940692110709
Author(s):  
Claire Gear ◽  
Elizabeth Eppel ◽  
Jane Koziol-McLain

Seemingly intractable or ‘wicked’ problems are often characterised by the complexity and uncertainty involved. However, these characteristics are not always accounted for within research design. How health care systems may effectively respond to intimate partner violence presents a complex research problem. Researchers have been challenged to account for contextual influences when responding to intimate partner violence. However, theoretical perspectives and methodologies have not sufficiently evolved to account for the multi-layered complexity and uncertainty involved. Recognising and responding to this challenge offers opportunities to innovate methodologies and methods capable of evolving alongside learning. We present a complexity-led research design to study improving primary care service delivery to those impacted by intimate partner violence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalem Menber Belay ◽  
Nigist Menber

Abstract Abstract Background: Though underestimated, intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in Ethiopia is among the highest in the world. The overall aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and forms of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, associated factors, and recommendations to reduce the act. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 25 to February 15, 2018 in government health facilities, North West Ethiopia. Married women who seek antenatal care service were participated in the study. Ethical clearance and approval was obtained from Amhara Regional Health Bureau research and publication committee. Informed consent was obtained from women and facility managers before collecting the data. Odds ratio (OR) with 95%CI was computed to determine the presence and strength of association between the outcome of interest and key independent variables. Results: Nearly half (46.4%) of the study participants were victims of at least one episodes of intimate partner violence in the recent pregnancy. Psychological violence 141 (44.2%) was the most common form of violence encountered followed by sexual violence 137 (42.9%). Significant proportion of women were insulted, forced to have sex, pushed/shoved, kicked/beaten, and slapped/thrown something at them (30.1 - 39.4 %) in the recent pregnancy. Lack of formal education, arranged marriages, lack of decision-making autonomy in household matters and wider spousal age difference were significantly associated with intimate partner violence. Conclusions: Higher proportion of pregnant women experienced intimate partner violence. Sociodemographic factors were associated with intimate partner violence. We suggest interventions focusing on education for raising community awareness through different strategies. Strengthening health facilities is also important to early identify and manage pregnant women with intimate partner violence, and prevent adverse birth outcomes of the act.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-223
Author(s):  
Heidi Siller ◽  
Siobán O’Brien Green

Abstract An intersectional and reflexive approach is vital in researching violence against women (VAW). It offers insights into researcher–participant relations, the research design and process, and the collection and analysis of data. Furthermore, it illuminates potential blind spots due to, for example, socialisation, values, or beliefs. Particularly in VAW, such insights are needed to inspire social change and social action. In this essay, we use an intersectional framework for our reflexive interrogation of our research on intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy. We highlight potential aspects of re-enforcing or reproducing characteristics of IPV in research projects and via power relations in research collaboration and emphasise the need for explicit reflexivity in VAW research to do this.


Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenora Olson ◽  
Frank Huyler ◽  
Arthur W Lynch ◽  
Lynne Fullerton ◽  
Deborah Werenko ◽  
...  

Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States, and in women the second leading cause of injury death overall. Previous studies have suggested links between intimate partner violence and suicide in women. We examined female suicide deaths to identify and describe associated risk factors. We reviewed all reports from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator for female suicide deaths occurring in New Mexico from 1990 to 1994. Information abstracted included demographics, mechanism of death, presence of alcohol/drugs, clinical depression, intimate partner violence, health problems, and other variables. Annual rates were calculated based on the 1990 census. The New Mexico female suicide death rate was 8.2/100,000 persons per year (n = 313), nearly twice the U. S. rate of 4.5/100,000. Non-Hispanic whites were overrepresented compared to Hispanics and American Indians. Decedents ranged in age from 14 to 93 years (median = 43 years). Firearms accounted for 45.7% of the suicide deaths, followed by ingested poisons (29.1%), hanging (10.5%), other (7.7%), and inhaled poisons (7.0%). Intimate partner violence was documented in 5.1% of female suicide deaths; in an additional 22.1% of cases, a male intimate partner fought with or separated from the decedent immediately preceding the suicide. Nearly two-thirds (65.5%) of the decedents had alcohol or drugs present in their blood at autopsy. Among decedents who had alcohol present (34.5%), blood alcohol levels were far higher among American Indians compared to Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites (p = .01). Interpersonal conflict was documented in over 25% of cases, indicating that studies of the mortality of intimate partner violence should include victims of both suicide and homicide deaths to fully characterize the mortality patterns of intimate partner violence.


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