Help-seeking, trust and intimate partner violence: social connections amongst displaced and non-displaced Yezidi women and men in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq

Strang, Alison; O’Brien, Oonagh; Sandilands, Maggie; Horn, Rebecca

doi:10.1186/s13031-020-00305-w

Cited by 15 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Although respondents were not specifically questioned about religion in relation to their experiences of forced displacement and GBV, 58 respondents raised the importance of religion, supporting claims made elsewhere about the significant role religion play in forced migrants" everyday lives (cf. Strang et al, 2020;Pertek, 2022b). Our analysis demonstrated that religion interacted with GBV in forced migration in multiple ways that, at times, generated increased "risks" or vulnerability to abuse but also served as a "protective" factor that was used as a coping and recovery mechanism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender-based violence, religion and forced displacement: Protective and risk factors

Pertek¹,

Block²,

Goodson³

et al. 2023

Front. Hum. Dyn.

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IntroductionThis paper examines the relationship between gender-based violence (GBV) and religion in a range of forced displacement contexts. While it has been acknowledged that religion frequently shapes experiences of GBV survivors, little is known about the influences of religion on GBV experiences in forced displacement and its potential role in strengthening interventions.MethodsUtilizing empirical evidence from 58 interviews from the SEREDA project with forced migrants in Sweden, UK, Turkey and Australia, we outline the interactions between religious resources and GBV in migrants' forced displacement experiences. We conceptualise religious resources as comprising religious ideas, religious practices, religious experience and religious organization.ResultsSurvivors talked about religion spontaneously when responding to questions relating to resilience, coping mechanisms, and risk factors. Religion acted as both a “protective” and “risk” factor for GBV experiences. Religious beliefs were assets in coping with GBV experiences, but also contributed to creating an environment in which violence was normalized, exposing women to further harm. Religious practices supported survivors emotionally to cope with GBV but also some practices posed risks. Religious organizations in many cases served as a lifeline for many displaced women, offering practical and emotional support, however religious leaders at times encouraged survivors to stay in abusive relationships. Religious experiences “empowered” and “disempowered” survivors across the processes of forced migration.DiscussionWe demonstrate the relevance and importance of acknowledging the role of religion in the experiences of GBV in forced displacement. Our analysis advances the understanding of religious resources as both protective and risk factors that affect forced migrants' experiences of GBV over time and place. We suggest a way forward for practitioners and researchers to account for the roles of religion in experiences of GBV and forced displacement, as opportunities and barriers to GBV prevention and response, and to work with religious leaders and local faith communities to strengthen protection of survivors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender-based violence, religion and forced displacement: Protective and risk factors

Pertek¹,

Block²,

Goodson³

et al. 2023

Front. Hum. Dyn.

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“…As such, a strong therapeutic relationship is a suitable mechanism to help Yazidi survivors to speak of their trauma and has been attributed to positive intervention outcomes in non-conflict settings (Cloitre et al ., 2002 ; Keller et al ., 2010 ). However, applicability of this mechanism needs testing, for persistent persecution has amounted in a strong distrust of others, limiting engagement with psychosocial support services (Strang et al ., 2020 ). As expressed by one care provider: ‘Some of my patients do not believe we can help them at all.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mental health and well-being of internally displaced female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: a realist review of psychosocial interventions and the impact of COVID-19

Lobanov-Rostovsky

Kiss

2022

Glob. Ment. Health

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Background Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been exposed to recurrent traumatic experiences associated with genocide and gender-based violence (GBV). In 2014, ISIS perpetrated another genocide against the Yazidi community of Sinjar. Women and girls were held captive, raped and beaten. Many have been forced into displacement. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide are high. Limited research has evaluated interventions delivered to this population. Methods This review explores how the global evidence on psychosocial interventions for female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence applies to the context of the female Yazidi population. We used a realist review to explore mechanisms underpinning complex psychosocial interventions delivered to internally displaced, conflict-affected females. Findings were cross-referenced with eight realist, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders who deliver interventions to female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Interviews also allowed us to explore the impact of COVID-19 on effectiveness of interventions. Results Seven mechanisms underpinned positive mental health outcomes (reduced PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation): safe spaces, a strong therapeutic relationship, social connection, mental health literacy, cultural-competency, gender-matching and empowerment. Interviews confirmed relevance and applicability of mechanisms to the displaced female Yazidi population. Interviews also reported increased PTSD, depression, suicide and flashbacks since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant disruptions to interventions. Conclusion COVID-19 is just one of many challenges in the implementation and delivery of interventions. Responding to the mental health needs of female Yazidis exposed to chronic collective violence requires recognition of their sociocultural context and everyday experiences.

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“…Despite China has carried out a series of interventions (2), the HIV/AIDS epidemic has had a detrimental effect on people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members, including children and youths. Youths (aged [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] affected by parental HIV/AIDS, including youths who lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS ("AIDS orphans") and youths who are living with HIV-infected parents ("Vulnerable children") (3,4). Previous research has focused on the effects of risk factors on the negative psychosocial adjustment (depressive symptoms, problem behaviors, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mohanty et al ( 29 ) found that support from the targeted community could help nurses build personal and social connections and enhance trust in the community. Strang et al ( 30 ) found the support of families and communities was conducive to improving the trust of those becoming homeless by the conflict. Therefore, when youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS perceive more social support, they tend to have more social trust ( 31 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does HIV-Related Stigma Depress Social Well-Being of Youths Affected by Parental HIV/AIDS?

Zhang

Wan

et al. 2022

Front. Psychiatry

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Parental illness or death due to HIV/AIDS has long-term impacts on children’s social well-being, potentially challenging the children’s basic developmental needs and future. Based on the theoretical model of social well-being, the present study tested a moderated mediation model that HIV-related stigma moderated the mediating role of social trust on the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and social well-being. A sample of 297 youths aged 20–30 years affected by parental HIV/AIDS (57.2% male), including 129 (43.40%) AIDS orphans and 168 vulnerable youths (56.60%) completed questionnaires of perceived social support, social well-being, social trust, and HIV-related stigma. IBM SPSS 25.0 was used to conduct descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. Results showed that the mean score of PSS was 61.34 (SD = 13.99), social well-being was 57.33 (SD = 10.15), social trust was 56.21 (SD = 11.55), perceived stigma was 64.44 (SD = 16.72), and enacted stigma was 21.91 (SD = 9.73) among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS and the PSS could predict increasing social well-being via increasing social trust. Moreover, the positive influence of PSS on social trust was moderated by the enacted stigma (p = 0.03), in which the positive influence was stronger among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS who perceived or experienced low enacted stigma than those who perceived or experienced high enacted stigma. The positive impact of social trust on social well-being was moderated by perceived stigma (p = 0.04), in which the positive impact was more significant among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS who perceived or experienced high perceived stigma than those who perceived or experienced low perceived stigma. These findings explained how and when the PSS affected social well-being and contributed toward an understanding of the experiences and perceptions of HIV-related stigma among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS. This understanding may inform future research and policies toward improving the social well-being of youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS. The study also highlighted the importance of strengthening interventions on social relations and reducing HIV-related stigma for them.

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Help-seeking, trust and intimate partner violence: social connections amongst displaced and non-displaced Yezidi women and men in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq

Cited by 15 publications

References 24 publications

Gender-based violence, religion and forced displacement: Protective and risk factors

Gender-based violence, religion and forced displacement: Protective and risk factors

The mental health and well-being of internally displaced female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: a realist review of psychosocial interventions and the impact of COVID-19

Does HIV-Related Stigma Depress Social Well-Being of Youths Affected by Parental HIV/AIDS?

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