Factors Affecting Behaviors of Women with Breast Cancer Facing Intimate Partner Violence Based on PRECEDE-PROCEED Model

Abstract

Introduction: More than half of women in Iran experience intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to explore IPV in women with breast cancer (BC) in Ardabil, Iran. Moreover, the predictors of violence and women’s reactions against violence were examined. Methods: Using a convenient sampling method, the current cross-sectional study was performed on 211 women with BC in northwest of Iran. To collect data, a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and items based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model and women's reaction to violence was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS Ver. 20 and descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In this study, 190 (90%) subjects reported that they had experienced IPV in the preceding year. Only 27(12.8%) women were familiar with all forms of violence. Moreover, 141 (66.8%) and 160 (75.8%) women had no access to counseling centers and life skill training courses, respectively. Women mostly had adopted emotion-oriented coping strategies when facing IPV. The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that enabling factors and knowledge were predictors of problem-oriented coping strategies in women. Conclusion: Empowered women, for the most part, were better educated and had more access to social resources than others. Therefore, empowering women can help reduce the amount of violence they might have to encounter. It is essential that supporting and empowering centers for women be established in the society and efficient laws be enacted to fight IPV.

Intimate partner violence in women with breast and gynaecologic cancers: A systematic review

“…The majority of participants had breast cancer (62.46%, n = 2748). Four of the included articles examined IPV in breast cancer survivors)Canady et al, 2010; Fouladi et al, 2021; Sawin et al, 2009; Sawin & Parker, 2011. (Two articles on cervix cancer (Coker et al, 2000; Thananowan & Vongsirimas, 2016), one article on both breast and cervix cancer (Jetelina et al, 2020) and, one article on the cervix, breast, gynaecological and colorectal cancers (more than half of the samples were breast cancer survivors) (Coker et al, 2017).…”

“…Older women with breast cancer are more vulnerable due to the combination of harassment, ageing problems and breast cancer, causing intense control by the partner, changes in sexual relations and affecting the intimacy level of women (Sawin & Parker, 2011). In a study by Fouladi et al, (2021), the prevalence of violence in society was defined as the most important IPV consequence (Fouladi et al, 2021).…”

“…Several studies have shown that women exhibit passive behaviours in the face of IPV. For example, in a study by Fouladi et al, (2021) it was reported that 81% of women facing IPV never informed the police, and most women exhibited emotion‐oriented coping behaviours such as leaving or silence (Fouladi et al, 2021) or pursued submissive relationships with their spouses (Dionigi et al, 2020). Older women, in particular, are less likely than younger women to leave their abusive partners.…”

“…Reasons such as sexual dysfunction (Modesitt et al, 2006) and poor body image (Roberts et al, 2016)) makes women more vulnerable to being a victim of violence. Fouladi et al, (2021) focused on patients and legislators in her recommendations rather than focusing on health care providers and believe that women's empowerment in different dimensions, including increasing the level of education and women's employment, creating or improving social networks, reforming current laws or adopting effective community‐based rules can help to reduce IPV among women with cancer (Fouladi et al, 2021). Sawin et al, (2009) also recommended that future studies include postmenopausal women, lesbians, minorities or women whose diagnosis and treatment have been delayed or prevented by their partner (Sawin et al, 2009).…”

“…Two researchers reviewed the titles and abstracts of the articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 articles were identified as eligible for inclusion in the study, of which the authors agreed on the inclusion of eight articles in the study (Canady et al, 2010; Coker et al, 2000; Coker et al, 2017; Fouladi et al, 2021; Jetelina et al, 2020; Sawin et al, 2009; Sawin & Parker, 2011; Thananowan & Vongsirimas, 2016).…”