Intimate Partner Violence: The Experience and Impact of Exposure

Systematic literature review

This literature review aimed to identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research exploring professionals’ experiences of supporting clients exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). Professionals working with such induced trauma have been noted to present with similar distress through exposure to their clients’ troubling experiences and narratives. Three databases were systematically interrogated, eliciting 14 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist tool. Synthesis using Noblit and Hare’s (1998) methodology for meta-ethnography revealed three themes: ‘levels of challenge’, ‘reaction and revaluation in the face of IPV trauma’, and ‘unskilled, uncertain and uncontained in managing IPV risk’. Professionals reported experiences akin to moral injury and secondary traumatic stress in the context of systemic and organisational barriers to appropriate care and limited support. Working with clients experiencing IPV had significant impacts on professionals’ wellbeing.

Empirical research project

This study aimed to explore if two existing measures of IPV; the PROVIDE relationship questionnaire and IPV-GBM scale, are valid ways of classifying IPV in gay and bisexual men in the UK. A cross-sectional, online survey was utilised and recruitment occurred by opportunity sampling via advertisements published in online groups and social media posts. Data analysis was completed with a sample of 20 participants. Experience and enactment of IPV ranged from 40-65%, and 25-45%, respectively, over the past 12 months. The IPV-GBM demonstrated excellent internal consistency and a moderate level of concordance with the existing PROVIDE relationship questionnaire (κ=.53) whilst identifying greater rates of violence. No significant associations were found between substance use or wellbeing and experience of IPV. Neither instrument may offer a valid measure of IPV for GBM in their current form; further development is required to create a scale offering sensitive and specific measures.