scholarly journals Ambivalent and Consistent Relationships: The Role of Personal Networks in Cases of Domestic Violence

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Bellotti ◽  
Susanne Boethius ◽  
Malin Åkerström ◽  
Margareta Hydén
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Role Expectations ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Do So

Social networks are usually considered as positive sources of social support, a role which has been extensively studied in the context of domestic violence. To victims of abuse, social networks often provide initial emotional and practical help as well useful information ahead of formal institutions. Recently, however, attention has been paid to the negative responses of social networks. In this article, we advance the theoretical debate on social networks as a source of social support by moving beyond the distinction between positive and negative ties. We do so by proposing the concepts of relational ambivalence and consistency, which describe the interactive processes by which people, intentionally or inadvertently, disregard—or align with—each other’s role‐relational expectations, therefore undermining—or reinforcing—individual’s choices of action. We analyse the qualitative accounts of 19 female victims of domestic violence in Sweden, who described the responses of their personal networks during and after the abuse. We observe how the relationships embedded in these networks were described in ambivalent and consistent terms, and how they played a role in supporting or undermining women in reframing their loving relationships as abusive; in accounting or dismissing perpetrators’ responsibilities for the abuse; in relieving women from role‐expectations and obligations or in burdening them with further responsibilities; and in supporting or challenging their pathways out of domestic abuse. Our analysis suggests that social isolation cannot be considered a simple result of a lack of support but of the complex dynamics in which support is offered and accepted or withdrawn and refused.

scholarly journals The Social Environment’s Relationship With Frailty: Evidence From Existing Studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daan Duppen ◽  
Michaël C. J. Van der Elst ◽  
Sarah Dury ◽  
Deborah Lambotte ◽  
Liesbeth De Donder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family

Increasingly, policymakers assume that informal networks will provide care for frail older people. While the literature has mainly discussed the role of the family, broader social networks are also considered to be important. However, these social networks can diminish in later life. This systematic review investigates whether the social environment increases the risk of frailty or helps to prevent it. Findings from 15 original studies were classified using five different factors, which denoted five dimensions of the social environment: (a) social networks, (b) social support, (c) social participation, (d) subjective neighborhood experience, and (e) socioeconomic neighborhood characteristics. The discussion highlights that the social environment and frailty are indeed related, and how the neighborhood dimensions and social participation had more consistent results than social support and social networks. Conclusively, recommendations are formulated to contemplate all dimensions of the social environment for further research examining frailty and community care.

Informal social control of sex offenders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly R. Kras
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Social Control ◽  
Support Function ◽  
Informal Social Control ◽  
Informal Controls ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Insight Into

This essay discusses the role of informal social control for sex offenders who are reentering the community after imprisonment. The essay begins by reviewing the reintegration of sex offenders into communities, noting that they might reintegrate differently than other offenders. Considering how informal social control occurs across the life course for sex offenders may offer insight into specific mechanisms of desistance. The essay discusses the role in reentry of relationships, such as family, friends, and intimate partners, as well as the support function of social networks and community-oriented informal controls, such as school, employment, and other forms of civic engagement. The role of the community for sex offenders is tenuous, considering the legal and social policies that govern their movement and involvement in certain activities. The emerging role of the therapeutic community and the treatment group is examined. Controversies in the role of social support for sex offenders are also reviewed.

scholarly journals Head-to-Head Comparison of Social Network Assessments in Stroke Survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Morgan Prust ◽  
Abby Halm ◽  
Simona Nedelcu ◽  
Amber Nieves ◽  
Amar Dhand
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Mapping Tool ◽  
Social Network Structure ◽  
Network Mapping

Background and Purpose: Social networks influence human health and disease through direct biological and indirect psychosocial mechanisms. They have particular importance in neurologic disease because of support, information, and healthy behavior adoption that circulate in networks. Investigations into social networks as determinants of disease risk and health outcomes have historically relied on summary indices of social support, such as the Lubben Social Network Scale–Revised (LSNS-R) or the Stroke Social Network Scale (SSNS). We compared these 2 survey tools to personal network (PERSNET) mapping tool, a novel social network survey that facilitates detailed mapping of social network structure, extraction of quantitative network structural parameters, and characterization of the demographic and health parameters of each network member. Methods: In a cohort of inpatient and outpatient stroke survivors, we administered LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET in a randomized order to each patient. We used logistic regression to generate correlation matrices between LSNS-R scores, SSNS scores, and PERSNET’s network structure (eg, size and density) and composition metrics (eg, percent kin in network). We also examined the relationship between LSNS-R-derived risk of social isolation with PERSNET-derived network size. Results: We analyzed survey responses for 67 participants and found a significant correlation between LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET-derived indices of network structure. We found no correlation between LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET-derived metrics of network composition. Personal network mapping tool structural and compositional variables were also internally correlated. Social isolation defined by LSNS-R corresponded to a network size of <5. Conclusions: Personal network mapping tool is a valid index of social network structure, with a significant correlation to validated indices of perceived social support. Personal network mapping tool also captures a novel range of health behavioral data that have not been well characterized by previous network surveys. Therefore, PERSNET offers a comprehensive social network assessment with visualization capabilities that quantifies the social environment in a valid and unique manner.

The Role of Stalking in Domestic Violence Crime Reports Generated by the Colorado Springs Police Department

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Tjaden ◽  
Nancy Thoennes
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Police Department ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Colorado Springs ◽  
Police Investigation ◽  
Restraining Order ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Crime Reports

A review of 1,785 domestic violence crime reports generated by the Colorado Springs Police Department found that 1 in 6 (16.5 percent) contained evidence the suspect stalked the victim. Female victims were significantly more likely than male victims to allege stalking by their partners (18.3 vs. 10.5 percent). Most stalkers were former rather than current intimates. Regardless of victims’ gender, reports with stalking allegations were significantly less likely to mention physical abuse or victim injury in the presenting condition, to involve households with children, or to involve victims and suspects who were using alcohol at the time of the report. Female victims who alleged stalking by their partner were significantly less likely than female victims who did not allege stalking to be emotionally distraught at the time of the report, but significantly more likely to have an active restraining order against the suspect, and to sign releases to facilitate the police investigation. Police almost never charged domestic violence stalking suspects with stalking, preferring instead to charge them with harassment or violation of a restraining order.

The Role of Social Support in the Lives of Women Exiting Domestic Violence Shelters

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHERIBETH TAN ◽  
JOANNE BASTA ◽  
CRIS M. SULLIVAN ◽  
WILLIAM S. DAVIDSON
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelters

scholarly journals The Absence of Close Social Network Connections: A Case Study Investigation in Social Isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 170-170
Author(s):  
Raeann LeBlanc ◽  
Rachel Walker
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Network Effects ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Multiple Data

Abstract Social isolation is an emerging phenomenon known to significantly influence health outcomes and carries specific risk in older age. As part of a larger study exploring the social network effects on health among persons age 65 and above, it was found that four cases from a larger sample (n=89) could not name any one from their social relationships supportive to them in managing their health while living with complex chronic health needs. In addressing these findings, these cases, bounded spatially by individual social networks and temporally by the time of the study interview, served the basis for intensive analysis using multiple data points from in-depth interviews and survey measures. Measures included descriptive data (social networks, demographics) and measures of health (SF-12), and social support (MOS-SSS). Each participant case identified as female gender and single, three lived alone, had a high burden of chronic conditions and poor health. All had recent hospitalizations (1 or more within the past year). The structures of their social networks varied in type of relationship roles and size. Social support was perceived overall as low. This study offers a specific contribution to research on social connection/isolation. This phenomenon is relative to specific contexts. Findings emphasize that social isolation can be specific to certain aspects of identity and poorer health in older age. Additional research on the functions and qualities of social networks, in addition to the structure, are important to specify in future research and knowledge development for practice assessment to determine social connection and isolation.

scholarly journals Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Confinement: Do Victims Feel more Socially Isolated?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Drieskens ◽  
Elise Braekman ◽  
Karin De Ridder ◽  
Lydia Gisle ◽  
Rana Charafeddine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract Background Since March 13th 2020, confinement measures have been introduced in Belgium to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These measures also have an impact on people’s daily life (closure of school/businesses, teleworking, recommendation to stay at home…). This can cause stress on social, economic and psychological levels and thereby can trigger domestic violence. Besides, confinement also fosters social isolation, which can complicate help seeking behaviour. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis and to assess whether victims of domestic violence experienced more social isolation than nonvictims. Methods Several online COVID-19 health surveys were organised among Belgian residents aged 18 + via snowball sampling. This study is based on the second (April 2020) and the sixth survey (March 2021). After excluding 1-person households and missing data, the sample size was respectively 25,251 and 12,589. Weighted prevalence of domestic violence was evaluated for the two surveys. The association (OR (95% CI)) between domestic violence and subjective social isolation was assessed with logistic regression stratified by survey, adjusted for covariates and taking post-stratification weights into account. Results In April 2020, 4.0% of the adult population reported being a victim of domestic violence (1.2% in the health interview survey 2018); in March 2021, this was 6.2%. In April 2020, victims of domestic violence had a higher odds of perceived weak social support (2.23 (1.76–2.82)) and of having less confidence in health care services (1.78 (1.21–2.63)). In March 2021, victims had a higher odds of perceived weak social support (1.98 (1.27–3.09)), but also of being unsatisfied with their social contacts (1.81 (1.16–2.84)) and of perceived social (2.70 (1.77–4.13)) and emotional loneliness (2.40 (1.45–3.97)). Conclusions Compared to 2018, more people reported domestic violence since the coronavirus crisis. Victims of domestic violence feel more often socially isolated. Although confinement is needed to counteract the virus, it can put people in a dangerous situation since they do not get the help they need. Therefore, adequate support is essential.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document