Researching Intimate Partner Violence Using a Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parveen Ali
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlie Watson ◽  
Nikki Carthy ◽  
Sue Becker

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore primary care psychological therapists’ experiences of working with mid-life and older women presenting with intimate partner violence (IPV) and develop a theoretical framework using a grounded theory approach to identify the experiences of those practitioners working with this phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach Interviews with 17 practitioners were conducted. The data analysis was informed by a grounded theory approach, which requires three states of data coding: open, axial and selective. Data codes were thematically sorted into causal, contextual, strategic, intervening, interactional and consequential conditions. Findings A core state of therapist helplessness was uncovered. The framework demonstrates that psychological therapists can doubt their ability to work meaningfully with women over 45 years of age experiencing IPV. To avoid the core state of helplessness, therapists use strategies such as avoiding asking questions about partner violence, making assumptions of how patients interpret their own experiences, addressing symptoms rather than the root cause and going above and beyond in attempts to rescue patients. The consequence of therapists’ helplessness often results in burnout. Research limitations/implications The framework identifies barriers in working effectively with IPV and women in the mid-to older-aged populations. Originality/value This study is the first to suggest a framework that is grounded in practitioner experience with capability to transfer to a range of professionals working with mid-to older-aged women such as forensic, medical and specialist psychologists.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Catallo ◽  
Susan M. Jack ◽  
Donna Ciliska ◽  
Harriet L. MacMillan

Little is known about how to systematically integrate complex qualitative studies within the context of randomized controlled trials. A two-phase sequential explanatory mixed methods study was conducted in Canada to understand how women decide to disclose intimate partner violence in emergency department settings. Mixing a RCT (with a subanalysis of data) with a grounded theory approach required methodological modifications to maintain the overall rigour of this mixed methods study. Modifications were made to the following areas of the grounded theory approach to support the overall integrity of the mixed methods study design: recruitment of participants, maximum variation and negative case sampling, data collection, and analysis methods. Recommendations for future studies include: (1) planning at the outset to incorporate a qualitative approach with a RCT and to determine logical points during the RCT to integrate the qualitative component and (2) consideration for the time needed to carry out a RCT and a grounded theory approach, especially to support recruitment, data collection, and analysis. Data mixing strategies should be considered during early stages of the study, so that appropriate measures can be developed and used in the RCT to support initial coding structures and data analysis needs of the grounded theory phase.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110374
Author(s):  
Nerilee Hing ◽  
Catherine O’Mullan ◽  
Elaine Nuske ◽  
Helen Breen ◽  
Lydia Mainey ◽  
...  

This study aimed to examine how problem gambling interacts with gendered drivers of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women to exacerbate this violence. Interviews were conducted with 48 female victims of IPV linked to a male partner’s gambling; 24 female victims of IPV linked to their own gambling; and 39 service practitioners from 25 services. Given limited research into gambling-related IPV, but a stronger theoretical base relating to IPV against women, this study used an adaptive grounded theory approach. It engaged with existing theories on gendered drivers of violence against women, while also developing a grounded theory model of individual and relationship determinants based on emergent findings from the data. Gambling-related IPV against women was found to occur in the context of expressions of gender inequality, including men’s attitudes and behaviors that support violence and rigid gender expectations, controlling behaviors, and relationships condoning disrespect of women. Within this context, the characteristics of problem gambling and the financial, emotional and relationship stressors gambling causes intensified the IPV. Alcohol and other drug use, and co-morbid mental health issues, also interacted with gambling to intensify the IPV. Major implications. Reducing gambling-related IPV against women requires integrated, multi-level interventions that reduce both problem gambling and gendered drivers of violence. Gambling operators can act to reduce problem gambling and train staff in responding to IPV. Financial institutions can assist people to limit their gambling expenditure and families to protect their assets. Service providers can be alert to the co-occurrence of gambling problems and IPV and screen, treat, and refer clients appropriately. Public education can raise awareness that problem gambling increases the risk of IPV. Reducing gender inequality is also critical.


2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 932-949
Author(s):  
Karni Krigel ◽  
Orly Benjamin

Scholars have established the difficulties inherent in proposals that employment may serve as a rescue route for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, they have paid little attention to the possibility that those who do strive for employment experience a clash between the prevailing neoliberal policy and the patriarchal culture dominant in their relationship with their violent partners. Based on 33 in-depth interviews with IPV survivors, this study used a grounded theory approach to follow women’s experiences in the personal and employment life domain. The authors propose that in order to understand employment in the field of IPV survivors, it is necessary to deploy a job quality perspective. Further, they found that a gendered conceptualization of job quality is required, one that is evaluated by three relational dimensions: employment spaces blocking IPV penetration, control over one’s own income and a sense of skill recognition. These relational dimensions show that in participants’ work lives, neoliberalism and patriarchy conflict with one another. Accordingly, the contradiction between these value systems must be taken into account in conceptualizations of their mutual reinforcement. The authors propose reconciling them by focusing on the challenging experience of women’s employment, from which the innovative meaning of job quality arises.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (19-20) ◽  
pp. 4040-4060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina A. Portnoy ◽  
Christopher M. Murphy

A substantial proportion of partner-violent men reoffend subsequent to completing intimate partner violence (IPV) treatment. A critical step in enhancing treatment for IPV perpetration is to understand reoffense among those who recidivate following treatment completion. Investigating reoffenders’ own perceptions regarding potential directions for treatment modification may improve overall treatment outcomes. Qualitative research examining the experiences of participants who utilize IPV treatment is limited. In the present study, we examined implications for treatment from an exploration of reoffenders’ interpretation of their recidivist events and their beliefs regarding treatment effectiveness. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to generate theory regarding behavior change, treatment perceptions, and recidivist processes among men who experience difficulty staying nonviolent. Emergent qualitative themes revealed reoffenders’ perceptions of treatment and suggestions for treatment modification. Reoffenders identified program factors that they believed would have enhanced program effectiveness for themselves, and thus may have prevented their recidivist incidents. Treatment implications that emerged from reoffenders’ narratives are organized along three key dimensions: modality-specific variables, which were relevant to treatment approach and effectiveness of group therapy; content-specific variables, which were relevant to skill acquisition and skill application; and participant-specific variables, which were relevant to intrapersonal characteristics of the participants themselves. Recommendations for treatment enhancement are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110361
Author(s):  
Nicole van Gelder ◽  
Suzanne Ligthart ◽  
Julia ten Elzen ◽  
Judith Prins ◽  
Karin van Rosmalen-Nooijens ◽  
...  

Approximately one in three women worldwide experiences intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) in her lifetime. Despite its frequent occurrence and severe consequences, women often refrain from seeking help. eHealth has the potential to remove some of the barriers women face in help seeking and disclosing. To guarantee the client-centeredness of an (online) intervention it is important to involve the target group and people with expertise in the development process. Therefore, we conducted an interview study with survivors and professionals, in order to assess needs, obstacles, and wishes with regard to an eHealth intervention for women experiencing IPVA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 women (8 survivors and 8 professionals) between 22 and 52 years old, with varied experiences of IPVA and help. Qualitative data was analyzed using a grounded theory approach and open thematic coding. During analysis we identified a third stakeholder group within the study population: survivor-professionals, with both personal experiences of and professional knowledge on IPVA. All stakeholder groups largely agree on the priorities for an eHealth intervention: safety, acknowledgment, contact with fellow survivors, and help. Nevertheless, the groups offer different perspectives, with the survivor-professionals functioning as a bridge group between the survivors and professionals. The groups prioritize different topics. For example, survivors and survivor-professionals highlighted the essential need for safety, while professionals underlined the importance of acknowledgment. Survivor-professionals were the only ones to emphasize the importance of addressing various life domains. The experiences of professionals and survivors highlight a broad range of needs and potential obstacles for eHealth interventions. Consideration of these findings could improve the client-centeredness of existing and future (online) interventions for women experiencing IPVA.


Author(s):  
Dr. Stephanie L. Baird

In this research note, I reflect on conducting a qualitative study on trauma and intimate partner violence (IPV), applying an intersectional lens to constructivist grounded theory methodology. I argue that despite offering an ability to critically examine socially constructed categories of identity, and providing a way to ensure the active inclusion of social justice goals into research, intersectionality is underused within social work research. I also reflect on the particular importance of an intersectional lens in countering the previously identified assumptions of sameness underlying IPV and trauma services. From recounting my research process, I discuss recommendations for further intersectional research, and research on trauma. Recommendations include allowing enough time for recruitment and analysis, making visible the researcher’s role, including a participatory element in studies, and ensuring continuous critical and reflexive processing at all research stages.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Chu-Li Julie Liu ◽  
Faye Mishna

Intimate partner violence (IPV) causes severe physical and psychological damage to victims. Older IPV survivors are increasing around the world with the rapidly growing older population. Little is known about the needs of older female IPV survivors in the Chinese cultural context; the aim of this study was to examine the needs of older female IPV survivors in Taiwan. A grounded theory approach was adopted. Individual in-depth interviews were utilized to collect data. First-level coding, constant comparison among coding, then grouping coding into higher levels of categories and identifying a central story were employed to analyze data. Findings were compared to literature for further verification. Eight Taiwanese older female IPV survivors aged 60 to 74 were interviewed. The findings revealed that the cultural premise emphasizing the importance of family was a major contributor to participants’ staying in abusive relationships. Four themes emerged in this study: 1) the marriage serving different purposes throughout the life course of the participants; 2) keeping the family whole enhances life satisfaction in older age; 3) working towards financial independence for lifetime security is an important goal; and 4) finding an independent space as a way of coping with the abusive relationship. Implications for social work practice, in particular incorporating the cultural premise into developing viable options for older female survivors, are discussed.


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