Health education needs of intimate partner violence survivors: Perspectives from female survivors and social service providers

• DOI: 10.1111/phn.12374
• Publication Date: 2017-11-27T04:38:49Z
• Authors: Dina Ferranti; Dalia Lorenzo; Derby Munoz‐Rojas; Rosa M. Gonzalez‐...
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Domestic Violence; Social Work; Intimate Partner Violence; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Survivors; 10. No inequality; Health Education; Qualitative Research; Mixed-methods; Health Services Needs and Demand; Depression; 4. Education; Middle Aged; Self Concept; Intimate partner violence; 3. Good health; Health education; Public Health Nursing; Florida; Female

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the health education needs and learning preferences of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in a social service agency located in South Florida, United States.Design and SampleAn exploratory two‐phase sequential mixed‐methods study was completed through semistructured interviews with social service providers (n = 10), followed by a survey with predominately female IPV survivors (n = 122, 98.4%).MeasuresData obtained from interviews with social service providers were analyzed through conventional thematic content analysis. Data from interviews were used in developing a health survey completed by IPV survivors and analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, chi‐square tests and t tests.ResultsThree themes emerged from interviews including multidimensional health needs, navigating barriers to health care, and self‐improvement specific to survivors of intimate partner violence. Survey results indicated that depression and self‐esteem were the health education needs of highest priority. Demographic characteristics, including age and language use, were significantly associated to preferred methods of learning, p < .05.ConclusionsIPV survivors present with various health education needs. Current study findings can inform public health nurses in developing interventions or health‐based programs for female IPV survivors in social service agency settings.