Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Behaviour: A Systematic Review of Cross-Cultural Differences

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue that affects women across all cultures. It is essential to understand how women could be assisted to prevent and reduce the effects of violence. This systematic review examined studies that made cross-cultural comparisons of differences in help-seeking behaviour of women who have experienced IPV. Databases including the Cochrane Library, PsychInfo and others were searched for literature published between 1988 and 2016. Seventeen articles with a total of 40,904 participants met the inclusion criteria. This review found some differences in the procurement of support across cultural groups. While Caucasian women were more likely to seek assistance from formal services such as mental health and social services, Latina/Hispanic and African-American women were more likely to utilize other types of formal supports such as hospital and law enforcement services. The findings regarding utilization of informal support systems showed mixed results. Overall, the findings of this systematic review suggest that women from culturally diverse minority backgrounds should be educated and encouraged to access support before and after experiencing IPV. Further, potential barriers to help-seeking need to be identified and addressed across women from all cultures.

Help-Seeking Behaviors and Barriers Among Black Women Exposed to Severe Intimate Partner Violence: Findings From a Nationally Representative Sample

“…Despite recognition of Black women’s strength and resilience, some might consider seeking help for general problems, especially in relation to IPV, a private matter, and therefore may avoid outside interference due to pride, shame, or embarrassment (Fugate et al, 2005; Lucea et al, 2013; Rodriquez et al, 2009; Sabri et al, 2015). These sentiments in some instances may serve as a hindrance to disclosing violent experiences by an intimate partner (Hien & Ruglass, 2009; Satyen et al, 2019). This is also supported by research that suggests some Black women do fight back and may feel that they are capable of taking care of themselves in certain situations (Moss et al, 1997).…”

“…This was evident for Caribbean Black women as compared with African American women. Although the role of religion and the church should not be understated, serving as a symbolic center of African American life (Ellison et al, 2007), Caribbean persons have also been known to adhere to the principles and teachings of the church by turning to God for help , direction, and guidance in coping with daily encounters and traumatic events such as intimate partner violence (Satyen et al, 2019). Furthermore, queries from the study suggest that limited access to resources (financial, service, or otherwise) is an important issue facing immigrant women, and may pose a challenge to seeking help to address their situation, particularly among new arrivals to host countries.…”

“…Improved community awareness surrounding viable sources of support and resources may encourage women victims who may not otherwise seek help or connect to services due to social and cultural constraints regarding the sensitive and private nature of intimate partner violence. At the same time, programs and policies that seek to break down cultural barriers while encouraging cultural groups to seek services and support without stigmatizing them are necessary to highlight that IPV is a public health issue and not necessarily a private matter (Goodson & Hayes, 2018; Satyen et al, 2019).…”

“…The more frequent and severe the abuse, the greater tendency to seek help (Bonomi et al, 2006; Cheng & Lo, 2015; Dutton et al, 1999; Flicker et al, 2011; Goodson & Hayes, 2018; Henning & Klesges, 2002; Lucea et al, 2013; Postmus, 2015; Sabri et al, 2013). However, the decision to seek help is also shaped by a number of factors that enable or dis-enable help-seeking, including age, education, employment, access to resources, and ethnicity (Bent-Goodley, 2007; Goodson & Hayes, 2018; Lipsky et al, 2006; Satyen et al, 2019). Previous research suggests age plays a key role in service utilization among U.S. Black women (Snowden, 2001).…”

The Utility of Postcolonial and Indigenous Feminist Frameworks in Guiding Nursing Research and Practice About Intimate Partner Violence in the Lives of American Indian Women

“…Indigenous women often face a myriad barriers when seeking after experiences of IPV, as a result of racial prejudice, lack of trust in health care providers and authority figures, as well as geographic barriers (Burnette, 2016;Casselman, 2016;Satyen et al, 2019). The individual lived experiences of IPV may also differ for Indigenous women in various geographic locations in the United States.…”