Domestic Abuse and Violence - Dissertation Example

? Literature Review on Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse has emerged as a vital social concern throughout the world which affects people from different culture as well as society. For instance, women, irrespective of their age group have been the victims of domestic abuse or violence. However, in major instances, women who are identified to be in a vulnerable position, such as pregnant housewives, divorcees and similar groups who tend to be highly depended on men or other social clusters have been identified as the victims of domestic violence. It has often been observed to lead towards permanent physical damages as well as disability of the victims. Children are also classified to be affected due to domestic violence acts which certainly influence their growth as well as social development in a healthy and prosperous way. Article 1 Annotated Bibliography Reference Citation Certain, H. E., Mueller, M., Jagodzinski, T., & Fleming, M. (2008). Domestic Abuse During the Previous Year in a Sample of Postpartum Women. JOGNN 37(1), pp. 35-41. What is the article about? The article relates to domestic abuse of postpartum women. Information about sample and population The sample size considered for the research in this article concentrated on one 1,519 women who were visiting for a postpartum appointment in clinics located in rural, urban as well as suburban locations. Stating precisely, women who were18 years of age and older, being seen for a postpartum visit at 35 obstetric and gynecologic clinics located in 15 Wisconsin counties of United States, were the participants of this study. . Article summary The article is related to the domestic abuse witnessed by postpartum women. The women who visited the clinic were examined through a routine screen to find out whether they have faced any emotional or physical abuse. Why was the research performed? The research was performed to identify the frequency of women being victimized to domestic abuse or violence within the research area. The study also intended to reveal the consequences led by the outcomes of domestic abuse like mental illness, physical damages as well as disability. Findings Following a cross-sectional survey, the study reveals that 112 women were suffering of domestic abuse which provided an alarming ratio of 1 in every 14 women as the victim. It was further revealed that domestic abuse results in poorer health as well as depression amid women. Strengths The article helps in understanding the consequences as well as identifies the elements linked up with domestic abuse. Weaknesses The findings of the article were observed to lack in terms of consistency as well as there was no typical profile of abused women during pregnancy. Implications for Practice The implications of the findings obtained in the study suggest that policies need to be formulated for better identification of domestic abuse. Literature Review According to Certain, Mueller, Jagodzinski and Fleming (2008), 112 women were reported to be a victim of abuse out of the total respondents, i.e. 1,519 women who required postpartum treatments. The study also revealed that abuse of women can result to chronic poor physical health issues, chronic mental illness as well as preterm labor along with low birth weight infants. The clinics providing prenatal as well as postpartum care are thus required to be aware as well as take special care of victims suffering from domestic violence. Postpartum depression has been considered with great significant in this article. The findings of this study further suggest that depressions as well as mental stresses are also associated with domestic abuse, which further increases the severity of such conducts. The interconnection among domestic abuse as well as postpartum depression is less recognized. However, in few studies which were conducted found out the relation among the postpartum depression as well as domestic abuse. Hispanic ethnicity was considered to be associated with domestic abuse in this study. For instance, the study reveals that greater number of white women are victims of abuse in comparison to Hispanic or black women. It also depicts that binge drinking is another significant factor for domestic abuse when it is frequently consumed by the partner. The study further indicated that unmarried women as well as older along with stay at home moms are more exposed to the risk for domestic abuse (Certain, Mueller, Jagodzinski & Fleming, 2008). Therefore, from the findings obtained through the study it becomes apparent that women of different age groups as well as races are exposed to domestic abuse both emotionally as well as physically by their partners. The clinics which are providing care for the postpartum as well as pregnant women should conduct the survey in a proper way to take special care of the victims suffering from such abuse. The clinics should screen all the patients from pregnant to postpartum for abuses committed. Hence, it becomes important for clinical care providers to take effective methods as well as measures in screening the victims to provide the best treatment both the in the forms of medical support and moral assistance. It is in this context that the findings obtained through the research suggests that the clinical care providers must be properly trained to enhance the care as well as treatment given to the victims of domestic abuse concerning the fact that the consequences of domestic abuse may lead to physical damages as well as psychological pressure which further results in mental stress as well as depression. It is worth mentioning in this context that the number of victims have been recorded to be greater in the case of pregnant women. Notably, abuse during pregnancy may influence the health of both the mother as well as the baby. The article also suggests that utmost awareness should be conducted while screening unmarried, as well as older and stay at home mothers falling victim of domestic abuse (Certain, Mueller, Jagodzinski & Fleming, 2008). Article 2 Annotated Bibliography Reference Citation Devaney, J. (2008). Chronic child abuse and domestic violence: children and families with long-term and complex needs. Child and Family Social Work 13, pp. 443–453. What is the article about? The article is related to chronic child abuse as well as domestic violence. Information about sample and population The research area selected for this study was considered to be the Northern Ireland region included under the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB). The EHSSB has conducted health as well as social care services for nearly 40% of the population in Northern Ireland living in urban city areas. The information about the children was collected with reference from the records made available by the child protection system in the year 1997. Article summary Domestic abuse has been affecting children causing disruptions in their emotional as well as social development. With this concern, the government of United Kingdom has formulated plans for the wellbeing of the children under the child protection act. Consequentially, the children who were identified to be registered under the child protection system have been observed to lead a better life. Why was the research performed? The research was conducted to a comprehensive understanding of the conditions required for the development of the children facing domestic abuse. Findings The article reveals that the amount of violence which exists in between intimate partners is the most prominent causing factors which affect the children. Above 40% of the families were recorded to be involved in domestic violence. The article also identified that the domestic violence is the outcome of adverse living conditions. It was also observed from the findings obtained that the younger children who are having younger parents are more exposed to domestic violence. Strengths One of the most crucial strengths of this article can be identified in terms that it depicts the reasons for domestic violence being faced by the children. Weaknesses The study was conducted only on the children who were registered under the child protection system instead of concerning the whole population. Implications for Practice The research suggests that the government should develop a few social welfare organizations for children to provide a better growth as well as social development opportunities in the community. Literature Review According to Devaney (2008), almost one million children in United Kingdom are learnt to be the victim of domestic violence which has been influencing their emotional as well as social development at a normal pace similar to any other children being brought up in a healthy and coordinated social setting. In the study, significant consideration was rendered towards recognizing the careers as well as characteristics of children in the child protection system. Chronic, in relation to the research issue indicates that the children who were considered as samples for the study have been registered under the child protection act for a subsequent time period (Devaney, 2008). The findings obtained through the study indicated that in 40 percent of the total sample size considered from the child protection register of EHSSB, no details concerning domestic violence were recorded. In the rest of the families, data were differentiated into three types which are verbal abuse, physical abuse without weapon and physical abuse with weapon depending on the degree of violence committed as disclosed in the record. Physical violence has been categorized into two groups depending on whether any object was used as a weapon which may lead to injuries to the victim. The existence of domestic violence may also create social problems like alcohol as well as drug misuse along with mental illness of the parents. These circumstances in turn tend to create an unhealthy pressure on children growing up in the surrounding both in terms of their physical health and in terms of their psychological balance. Analyzing the given criteria and the recorded data, the study further revealed that the child protection system was not functioning in an effective manner as it guarantees in solving children violence majorly due to the existence of various adverse living conditions. The government of UK therefore took various steps in solving domestic violence as well as to defend the children from being abused with its strategic focus on meeting the needs of the children (Devaney, 2008). Article 3 Annotated Bibliography Reference Citation Cross-Sudworth, F. (2009). Ethnicity and domestic abuse: issues for midwives. British Journal of Midwifery17 (4), pp. 212-215. What is the article about? The article concentrates on the relationship or rather the inter-dependency of ethnicity and domestic abuse with its issues witnessed by midwives concerning domestic abuse. Information about sample and population Women in United Kingdom Article summary Domestic abuse is one of the most severe issues recognized throughout the world. The article in this respect presents the fact that women during their pregnancy, especially those belonging to ethnic minority, are mostly affected by domestic violence. It was in this concern that women who have depicted to be victim of domestic abuse were argued to be provided with better care as well as treatment. Why was the research performed? The research was performed to identify whether pregnant women belonging to ethnic minority are mostly the sufferers of domestic abuse. In other words, the article aimed at reviewing the relationship which is believed to exist within ethnicity and domestic abuse cases, especially concerning the pregnant women. Findings The article reveals that domestic abuse cases are directly related with cultural aspects. Women are mostly the sufferer of domestic violence. The research further depicts that domestic abuse is the outcome of adverse conditions prevailing within the social or family setting. It is in this context that the study suggests midwives can provide great help in supporting the pregnant women who have been suffering due to domestic violence. Hence, the midwives are required to be trained with good communication skills possessing adequate awareness regarding cultural rudiments which might give rise to domestic abuse at certain instances. Strengths The article principally focuses on the importance of midwives in providing support to the pregnant women who are suffering from domestic violence. Weaknesses The article considered midwives to play an important role in supporting women who have disclosed to fall victim to domestic violence but midwives are not empowered to make decisions with regard to the violence committed by abusive partners. Implications for Practice The implications of the study suggest that the government of UK should devise ways to regulate violence committed towards women. Literature Review According to Cross-Sudworth (2009), domestic abuse mostly affects the women populaces as well as various people from different cultures. The study hereby reveals that ethnic minorities are facing abuse or violence at an increasing rate. It has been identified in this regard that the factors which raise the problem of domestic abuse are unpleasant living conditions as well as social disadvantages. Racial discrimination has also been considered to be a vital reason to raise obstacles for the people in need which in majority instances have been identified to act as a causing factor for domestic abuse. Emphasizing on such issues, Cross-Sudworth (2009) further stated that domestic abuse faced by the women during pregnancy is a major risk factor for the mother as well as the child. Midwifery professional thereby needs to take effective measures in screening all the women during pregnancy for protection as well as care from domestic abuse. In this regard, the aim of the article has been to explore the problems of domestic abuse faced by women who belonged to the group of ethnic minority in United Kingdom. With this respect, it was observed that screening of the ethnic minority women for domestic violence often raised the problem of racial discrimination which further acts as a hindrance in eliminating domestic abuse or violence. The ethnic minority women are facing the problem of domestic violence and are most vulnerable towards it. Midwives, acting as the advisories towards offering remedial assistance to the victims of social abuse, are to be trained with better communication skills as well as need to have consciousness regarding the cultural rudiments to deal with the abuse or violence faced by women during pregnancy (Cross-Sudworth, 2009). It is worth mentioning in this context that Cross-Sudworth (2009) further identified ethnic minority women to face domestic abuse incidents fundamentally owing to the conservative culture as well as belief. Hence, the ethnic minority women are more vulnerable towards the issue of abuse or violence in their domestic environment owing to which there should be a better communication process channelized as well as no discrimination while conducting screening. The women who are pregnant also need to be screened on a routine basis for the safety of both the child as well as the mother. The clinic providing care for the pregnant women also need to have the experience as well as knowledge for better understanding as well as identification of abuse or violence (Cross-Sudworth, 2009). Article 4 Annotated Bibliography Reference Citation McGarry, J., Simpson, C., & Hinchliff-Smith, K. (2010). The impact of domestic abuse for older women: a review of the literature. Health and Social Care in the Community 19(1), pp. 3-14. What is the article about? The article concentrates on the effects related to domestic abuse for the older women. Information about sample and population Women in United Kingdom Article summary Domestic abuse has a far reaching affect on women which results in mental illness as well as depression. Hence, domestic abuse among older women has emerged as a major issue in UK. The social care professionals need to provide better care as well as treatment for the women affected by domestic violence. Why was the research performed? The research was conducted to understand the impact of domestic abuse among older women. It assisted in identifying the barriers which were obstructing the process of recognition of domestic abuse amid the identified sample size. The research also helped in identifying the gaps in between the policy implemented and care provided for the victims. Findings The findings obtained through the study reveals that domestic abuse incidents faced by the older women were not acknowledged as frequently as in the case of younger women. However, being ignored by the concerned helping institutions, older women who were identified to be the sufferer of domestic abuse are required to be assisted with better medical care as well as treatment facilities. However, from a critical perspective, the findings further revealed that the services provided by the social care professionals were not helping the older women falling victim to domestic violence at the expected level. Strengths The article helped in identifying the barriers which exists in between the recognition as well as reporting of domestic abuse, especially when concerning older women. It also identifies the gaps in between the policy implementation and care provided from a realistic perspective. Weaknesses One of the most prominent limitations of the article can be identified in terms that it lacked in presenting a comprehensive review of the circumstances under which, abuse committed to the elder women will be considered as domestic abuse. Implications for Practice There is a need for the establishment of services which will help in providing care for the older women. Literature Review According to McGarry, Simpson and Hinchliff-Smith (2010), domestic abuse can be examined to impose inevitable negative effects on people throughout the world. The findings of the article fundamentally intend to reflect upon the nature as well as the consequences of domestic abuse in United Kingdom. However, it is yet not recognized in an efficient manner in case of elder women as victims. The degree of domestic abuse or violence faced by the older women is different in comparison to the violence faced by the younger generation which had not been marked in earlier instances. In UK domestic abuse is a major problem among older women. The health as well as social care professional thereby needs to recognize domestic abuse incidents as well as provide better care and treatment for the older women who are recorded to fall victim of such violence or abuse (McGarry, Simpson & Hinchliff-Smith, 2010). The article also reveals through its findings that physical abuse of the older women may lead to everlasting physical damage as well as disability. Physical violence may also lead to premature death of older women. It is in this context that domestic violence of older women has resulted in depression as well as anxiety. The barriers which exist in the recognition of domestic abuse are non disclosure of facts by the victims as well as traditional binding to maintain privacy by the older women. The older women fear to disclose information about domestic violence fundamentally concerning the issues of financial dependency as well as childcare. The social care professionals are also conservative in its approach which is hindering in the proper identification of domestic abuse (McGarry, Simpson & Hinchliff-Smith, 2010). For instance, the older women who are physically assaulted may permanently suffer from physical damages as well as disability. The social care professionals should thus be more effective in approaching towards the identification of the occurrence of abuse or violence among the older as well as younger women. Hence, the policies which are formulated by the UK government should be properly implemented to recognize domestic violence as well as to take appropriate actions. It is worth mentioning in this regard that the policies are expected to help in reducing violence as well as provide proper care and treatment to the victims. Furthermore, women who have endured domestic violence need to disclose it to the social care professionals for having better treatment as well as care. Besides, the policies of the government should be able to overcome the barriers, which are hindering the process of identification of domestic violence among older women (McGarry, Simpson & Hinchliff-Smith, 2010). Article 5 Annotated Bibliography Reference Citation Bradbury-Jones, C., Duncan, F., Kroll, T., Moy, M., & Taylor, J. (2011). Improving the health care of women living with domestic abuse. Nursing Standard 25(43), pp. 35-40. What is the article about? The article is related to improving the medical services provided to women who are identified to fall victim to domestic violence. Information about sample and population A study was conducted in Scotland involving 17 women who had faced domestic abuse. Article summary A qualitative study of 17 women was conducted to recognize the medical care as well as treatment provided to the women who were recorded as the victim of domestic violence. Nurses of primary care settings were also recognized to provide better support to the women. Why was the research performed? The research was conducted to identify the degree of efficiency deciphered by the healthcare providers towards the sufferers of domestic abuse. Findings The article finds out that the amount of medical facility provided to the women has been based on three issues which include system based, interpersonal and psychological issues. Strengths The article also reveals the importance of providing proper care as well as treatment for the women. Weaknesses The women who were included in the study were provided with professional support which does not include other women who suffered from domestic violence. Implications for Practice The findings obtained through the survey suggested the implications that there should be an effective communication system for better care as well as treatment. The three factors which are system based, interpersonal, and psychological should be considered to understand the healthcare facility provided to the women in a better efficient way. Literature Review A qualitative study was conducted by Bradbury-Jones, Duncan, Kroll, Moy and Taylor (2011) involving 17 women to discover the healthcare experiences by those women who are identified to be the sufferer of domestic violence or abuse and are living separately from the partners. The study was conducted in three phases taking into account the system based, interpersonal along with psychological issues to understand the healthcare experience of the selected women as the sample size. Based on the findings obtained, Bradbury-Jones, Duncan, Kroll, Moy and Taylor (2011) revealed that out of the 17 women, 13 had suffered from psychological distress such as anxiety as well as depression along with panic attacks. From an overall perspective, the women who were identified as the sufferers of domestic violence proved to have poor health. Based on these findings, the study denotes that nurses who are involved with primary care settings can provide much help to the women falling victim to domestic violence. The study will also help in providing better medical care as well as treatment for women (Bradbury-Jones, Duncan, Kroll, Moy & Taylor, 2011). Therefore, from the findings of the findings of the study, it can be apparently observed that the nurses who are engaged with primary care settings will provide better care as well as treatment for women experiencing domestic violence. With this concern, there should be an effective interagency based communication channel so that the women who are suffering from domestic violence are provided with better support as well as care. The domestic abuse of women may be identified with the help of the qualitative measure conducted in the article which are acknowledged as system based, interpersonal, and psychological issues. Identifying these three issues have been expected to help social care professionals or experts in understanding the reasons for domestic violence. It is also expected to help in providing better healthcare services as well as treatment for the victims of violence or abuse (Bradbury-Jones, Duncan, Kroll, Moy & Taylor, 2011). References Bradbury-Jones, C., Duncan, F., Kroll, T., Moy, M., & Taylor, J. (2011). Improving the health care of women living with domestic abuse. Nursing Standard 25(43), pp. 35-40. Cross-Sudworth, F. (2009). Ethnicity and domestic abuse: issues for midwives. British Journal of Midwifery 17(4), pp. 212-215. Certain, H. E., Mueller, M., Jagodzinski, T., & Fleming, M. (2008). Domestic Abuse during the Previous Year in a Sample of Postpartum Women. JOGNN 37(1), pp. 35-41. Devaney, J. (2008). Chronic child abuse and domestic violence: children and families with long-term and complex needs. Child and Family Social Work 13, pp. 443–453. McGarry, J., Simpson, C., & Hinchliff-Smith, K. (2010). The impact of domestic abuse for older women: a review of the literature. Health and Social Care in the Community 19(1), pp. 3-14. Read More