"Boiling Water but There's No Pop-Off Valve": Health Care Provider Perceptions of the Effects of COVID-19 on Intimate Partner Violence

• Authors: Ellen Hendrix, Emory University; Subasri Narasimhan, Emory University; Carrie E Ripkey, Emory University; Amy Zeidan, Emory University; Randi Smith, Emory University; Dabney Evans, Emory University
• Journal Title: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
• Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC | 2023-03-21, Pages 10778012231162043-10778012231162043
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/10778012231162043
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Psychology, Behavioral
• Keywords: Social Sciences; Women's Studies; violence prevention; COVID-19; emergency medicine; intimate partner violence; movement restrictions; BARRIERS

Abstract

This study sought to understand the effects of COVID-19, including movement-related restrictions such as shelter-in-place, quarantine, and isolation orders, on intimate partner violence (IPV) from the perspective of health care providers (HCPs) working at a public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. From November 2020 to May 2021, we conducted 12 interviews. Three themes emerged: (1) HCPs perceived that COVID-19 movement-related restrictions likely exacerbated IPV; (2) HCPs encountered many practice-oriented and community barriers in IPV care provision during COVID-19; and (3) HCPs suggested process and partnership improvements for IPV response. These findings can inform future pandemic preparedness including improved communication, improved IPV screening and follow-up, and strengthened hospital-community partnerships.