Domestic abuse victimisation and mental health

The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health
The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Mental Health, developed in collaboration with VAMHN, highlights the profound impact of IPV on mental health. The Commission finds that IPV is one of the most common forms of violence globally, significantly increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality, particularly among women. It calls for trauma-informed mental health services, improved training for practitioners, and policy changes to better support survivors. The report emphasises the need to integrate violence-informed care into mental health systems and prioritise survivor-led research.

Published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Read the blog of the Commission here and full Commission here.
Psychological therapies for women who experience intimate partner violence - ​Hameed et al., 2020
A Cochrane systematic review assessed the effectiveness of psychological therapies for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). The review found that such interventions probably reduce depression and may reduce anxiety in the short term. However, there is uncertainty regarding their impact on self-efficacy, PTSD, re-exposure to IPV, and safety planning. Additionally, data on potential harms associated with these therapies are limited. The findings suggest that while psychological therapies can improve emotional health, they may not fully address the comprehensive needs for safety, support, and holistic healing from complex trauma among IPV survivors.

​Published in Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. Read the full report click here.
A realist review of which advocacy interventions work for which abused women under what circumstances - Rivas et al., 2019
A Cochrane realist review assessed the effectiveness of advocacy interventions for women experiencing intimate partner abuse (IPA), focusing on which interventions work for whom, why, and under what circumstances. The review found that advocacy interventions include education, safety planning, and support to access services can help women experiencing IPA. However, the effectiveness of these interventions varies based on individual circumstances and the specific components of the advocacy provided. The findings suggest that tailoring advocacy interventions to the unique need and contexts of abused women is crucial for their effectiveness. Further research is needed to understand how different advocacy components contribute to positive outcomes and how these interventions can be adapted to diverse populations and settings.

​Published in Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. Read the full report click here.
Improving the mental health of women intimate partner violence survivors: Findings from a realist review of psychosocial interventions - ​Paphitis et al., 2022
A realist review examined the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in improving the mental health of women who have survived intimate partner violence (IPV). The study found that interventions were most effective when they adopted a holistic, trauma-informed approach and provided individualised support. Key factors contributing to positive outcomes included access to resources and services, enhanced safety and control, increased knowledge, improved emotional regulation, and strengthened social relationships. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions that address the diverse needs of IPV survivors to support their mental health recovery effectively.

Published in PLoS One. Read the full report click here.
Psychological interventions for common mental disorders in women experiencing intimate partner violence in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Keynejad et al., 2020
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of psychological interventions for women experiencing common mental disorders (CMDs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study analysed data from 15 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and found that psychological interventions effectively reduced anxiety among women exposed to IPV. However, there were no significant differences in treatment effectiveness for depression, PTSD, or psychological distress between women who reported IPV and those who did not. The findings suggest that mental health interventions can benefit IPV survivors, even if not specifically designed to address IPV. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed adaptations to improve intervention feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness n resource-limited settings.

​Published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Read read the full report click here.