University of Memphis, TN, USA.
Kent State University at Stark, North Canton, OH, USA.
J Interpers Violence. 2023 Jul;38(13-14):8088-8113. doi: 10.1177/08862605231153880. Epub 2023 Feb 17.
Women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) often rely on support from their informal support networks to obtain resources that may mitigate IPV. This study explored the challenges women of color encounter in seeking advice and information from their informal support networks (i.e., family, friends, neighbors, community members) regarding IPV support services. In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 IPV survivors who self-identified as Black or Hispanic. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results showed that participants lacked informational support, both in their communities and in their interpersonal relationships with family and friends. Communities treated IPV as normal and propagated the belief that women's responsibilities were to men and family. Family and friends discouraged IPV information seeking and advised that IPV should be kept private to avoid community shaming. The community environments also lacked information about resources for women experiencing IPV. The lack of information from their informal support networks appeared to delay participants' help-seeking. As the frequency and severity of violence escalated, some participants engaged in independent information searching, using social media and online information sources as well as conventional media like radio and newspapers. Others received information from first responders in the wake of a violent emergency. Participants described the information they received online or from first responders as empowering, encouraging them to engage in support services. Similarly, they felt empowered by the information they received from social workers, counselors, and victims' advocates, and they wished to use what they learned to help other women in similar circumstances. Women experiencing IPV and their communities need more information regarding IPV support services. Successful interventions for IPV survivors and their support networks may necessitate community-level education and altering biased perceptions of gender-appropriate behaviors.
遭受亲密伴侣暴力（IPV）的女性通常依赖于其非正式支持网络提供资源，以减轻 IPV 的影响。本研究探讨了有色人种女性在向其非正式支持网络（即家人、朋友、邻居、社区成员）寻求有关 IPV 支持服务的建议和信息时所面临的挑战。对 29 名自我认同为黑人或西班牙裔的 IPV 幸存者进行了深入访谈。使用扎根理论方法进行数据分析。结果表明，参与者在社区中以及与家人和朋友的人际关系中缺乏信息支持。社区将 IPV 视为正常现象，并传播了女性的责任是对男性和家庭的信念。家人和朋友不鼓励寻求 IPV 信息，并建议将 IPV 保密，以避免社区羞辱。社区环境也缺乏有关遭受 IPV 的女性资源的信息。他们的非正式支持网络缺乏信息，似乎延迟了参与者的寻求帮助。随着暴力的频率和严重程度的升级，一些参与者开始进行独立的信息搜索，使用社交媒体和在线信息来源以及传统媒体，如广播和报纸。其他人则在发生暴力紧急情况后从第一响应者那里获得信息。参与者描述了他们在线或从第一响应者那里获得的信息是有帮助的，鼓励他们参与支持服务。同样，他们从社会工作者、顾问和受害者倡导者那里获得的信息使他们感到有力量，并希望利用所学知识帮助其他处于类似情况的女性。遭受 IPV 的女性及其社区需要更多有关 IPV 支持服务的信息。针对 IPV 幸存者及其支持网络的成功干预措施可能需要在社区层面进行教育，并改变对性别适当行为的偏见观念。
