Online Program

Oral

While there are a number of studies focused on intimate partner violence (IPV), there remain significant gaps in our knowledge. For example, very little is known about IPV rates among homeless men and women. Eiboff et al., will present their study’s data on homeless individuals' exposure to severe IPV behaviors along with clinical and policy ramifications. Most IPV research is focused on physical contact IPV. However, research outside of shelters, emergency rooms, and protective service, has identified that the majority of IPV is the result of emotionally charged conflict that escalates to include physical contact. Greshnizjani & Jennings add to our knowledge of types of IPV experienced by young adults by reporting on emotional, physical, sexual abuse, and physical stalking, and they introduce cyber stalking. They also explored who young adults disclose to and the correlates between their IPV exposure and mental health symptoms. Research on military sexual assault has identified risk factors which include age, enlisted rank, negative home life, and previous assault history. Sadler et al.'s qualitative study looked at whether residing in mixed housing during deployment influences service women’s risk of sexual assault. Lastly, Cochrane’s recent review of IPV screening practices in health care settings reported that women preferred audio taped and written assessment to in-person physician screening. Perhaps the positive increases in physicians' screening confidence and behaviors derived from a three-hour training program introduced by Johnson et al. will result in enhanced comfort by women with physician IPV screening assessments. Enhanced strategies in this area have the potential to increase disclosure during screening, which Cochrane reported was much lower using current screening practices than calculated prevalence rates suggest for this population .

Session Objectives: Describe current research on IPV risk factors among special populations (i.e., homeless, military, college-age young adults). Discuss common types of IPV among special populations. Discuss possible outcomes of IPV-based interventions.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)