142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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A conceptual framework: Towards an understanding of women's use of intimate partner violence prevention strategies

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Yolanda R. Davila, PhD, RN , School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Background:  Numerous theoretical frameworks, including feminist and social learning theory, have been used to explain intimate partner violence (IPV).  Theory testing has resulted in either the lack of or in contradictory empirical evidence, thus restricting the explanatory power and usefulness of these theories in addressing IPV.  Research indicates IPV is multifaceted in nature, requiring a comprehensive, integrative approach to conceptualization.  Few comprehensive, integrative, and contextual theoretical or conceptual frameworks address the understudied area of women’s use of IPV prevention strategies.  The purpose of this presentation is to describe an analytical literature review and theoretical and evidence-based conceptual framework that addresses women’s use of IPV prevention strategies.

Methods:  The conceptual framework was developed based on extant studies (including the author’s IPV research), analytic literature, and existing IPV related theories.  Core concepts of the framework are:  coercive power (most frequently encountered type of IPV), relationship power (ability to effectively initiate a particular action even against a partner’s wishes), self-efficacy (ability to effectively initiate a particular action with corresponding belief the action will lead to the desired goal), women’s strategies for IPV prevention (resistance, placating, legal, safety planning, informal networks, formal networks), and ecological theory (human behavior shaped by multi-levels of influence).

 Results: As this conceptualization requires theoretical testing, pilot testing is currently in progress.

Conclusions:   The proposed framework has the potential to enhance IPV prevention and treatment programs.  IPV prevention programs could assist women in decreasing their risk of IPV victimization and treatment programs could tailor interventions to target specific skill deficits.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Identify different theoretical perspectives of intimate partner violence. Describe an analytic, theory-based conceptual framework developed to enhance understanding of women’s use of intimate partner violence prevention strategies.

Keyword(s): Violence & Injury Prevention, Domestic Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author on this content as I have approximately 20 years experience as a research, academic, and clinician of intimate partner violence prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.