Development and Testing of a Community-Based Intervention to Address Intimate Partner Violence among Rohingya and Syrian Refugees: A Social Norms-Based Mental Health-Integrated Approach

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the leading form of gender-based violence globally and increases during times of conflict and displacement. To reduce IPV and encourage help-seeking, a two-phase community-based intervention was co-designed with Rohingya in Malaysia and Syrians in Lebanon. Three day workshops, utilizing a social norms-based mental health-integrated approach, were implemented for women and men in each country (n = 148). Pre- to post-measures indicated reductions in beliefs about acceptability of violence and rigid gender norms, and improvements in mental health, functioning, coping, and self-efficacy for women and men following workshop participation. Workshop participation was also associated with increased help-seeking intent, for both mental health and IPV (victims and perpetrators). Workshops included community design of poster campaigns to address IPV, which were then tested in each setting using a randomized controlled trial in Malaysia (n = 240) and a matched cluster comparison in Lebanon (n = 260). Women in both settings found IPV less acceptable in the poster condition. Help-seeking preferences were also influenced by the poster for women and men in both countries. This participatory intervention research can provide a roadmap for use in other settings, emphasizing the value of community-generated solutions to IPV among displaced populations.

Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health: Deepening Our Understanding of Associations, Pathways, and Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…For example, while a study from Northern Uganda found that gender equitable attitudes mitigated the relationship between IPV victimization and mental illness [ 29 ], analyses from Nigeria revealed that survivors of IPV who believed IPV was acceptable in some situations exhibited lower mental distress [ 26 ]. Third, this Special Issue offers actionable guidance for practitioners by evaluating promising intervention approaches [ 30 , 34 ], reviewing the evidence on what works to prevent IPV and subsequent psychological distress [ 35 , 36 ], and highlighting determinants for the successful implementation of integrated interventions that address IPV and mental health in tandem [ 37 ]. Importantly, all papers in this Special Issue advance the knowledge base on how to understand and address IPV and mental health in LMICs, ultimately strengthening our ability to make progress toward the SDGs.…”

Meeting the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Internally Displaced Persons in Ethiopia’s Somali Region: A Qualitative Process Evaluation

“…25 As cited elsewhere, meaningful involvement of local stakeholders, including joint identification of needs and vulnerabilities, is essential for operationalizing coordinated, tailored, and effective responses. 26 However, few studies have examined cocreation for implementation in humanitarian contexts, and those that have tend to be focused on end users alone and not broader stakeholders such as health systems staff and partners. 26,27 Our findings contribute to this gap in evidence and emphasize the importance of cocreation of SRHR programs in humanitarian contexts.…”

“…26 However, few studies have examined cocreation for implementation in humanitarian contexts, and those that have tend to be focused on end users alone and not broader stakeholders such as health systems staff and partners. 26,27 Our findings contribute to this gap in evidence and emphasize the importance of cocreation of SRHR programs in humanitarian contexts. We observed that cocreation of projects and community involvement were crucial for strengthening resilient local capacity and ensuring risk-informed, context-specific implementation.…”

A randomized controlled trial testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a mental health Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment among refugees in Malaysia

“…Program and policy efforts seek to improve health and mental health services among displaced populations in Malaysia. Multiple group and community interventions have positively influenced mental health outcomes (James et al, 2021; Tay et al, 2020; Tay, Ong, et al, 2019). For example, 3-day community workshops addressing partner violence and help-seeking led to increased intent to seek mental health resources (James et al, 2021).…”

“…Multiple group and community interventions have positively influenced mental health outcomes (James et al, 2021; Tay et al, 2020; Tay, Ong, et al, 2019). For example, 3-day community workshops addressing partner violence and help-seeking led to increased intent to seek mental health resources (James et al, 2021). Additionally, a six-session intervention with refugees from Myanmar identified that multiple modalities had beneficial effects on mental health (Tay et al, 2020).…”