Self-reported experiences of intimate partner violence in a female forensic intellectual disability population

Pages1-13
Date25 November 2019
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-05-2019-0017
Published date25 November 2019
AuthorDeborah Morris,Claudia Camden-Smith,Robert Batten
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities
Self-reported experiences of intimate
partner violence in a female forensic
intellectual disability population
Deborah Morris, Claudia Camden-Smith and Robert Batten
Abstract
Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex public health and social issue. Women with an
intellectual disability (ID) are at greater risk of experiencing IPV. However, little is known about the IPV
experiences of women with an ID and forensic care needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the history
of experienced and perpetrated IPV in women detained to secure specialist ID forensic service.
Design/methodology/approach Participants completed the Conflict Tactics Scale-2 (CTS-2, Straus
et al., 1996). The CTS-2 measures experienced and perpetrated relationship tactics of common forms of IPV.
Findings Participants reported high levels of experiencing and perpetrating IPV across all relationship
tactics measured by the CTS-2. Participants reported they engaged in similar levels of experiencing and
perpetrating positive and negative relationship tactics. The only significant difference was minor
sexual coercive behaviorwhere participants were significantly more likely to experience than perpetrate
this behaviour.
Research limitations/implications Further research exploring the risk factors that contribute to IPV is
needed. Shortcomings in the current study are acknowledged.
Practical implications Women with an ID and forensic profiles may present with treatment needs as
victims and perpetrators of IPV. Clinical activities of women in Forensic ID services should include possible
IPV care needs. The importance of developing national guidance and interventions to prevent and manage
IPV are discussed.
Originality/value This is the first paper, to the authorsknowledge, to explore experiences of IPV in women
with an ID and forensic care needs.
Keywords Intimate partner violence, Female, Intellectual disability, Forensic, Experienced, Perpetrated
Paper type Research paper
Introduction and background
Intimate partner violence (IPV) can be defined as, cognitive, physical and emotional activities
(Loue, 2001, p. 5) that either threaten or result in psychological, or physical harm between
individuals engaged in an intimate adulthood relationship (Kornblit, 1994). IPV can manifest as
psychological abuse, physical and sexual violence and financial exploitation. More recent
definitions have also included; controlling, isolating, stalking, harassing, coercing and degrading
behaviours (Krebs et al., 2011).
The deleterious impact of IPV for victims can include physical injury, mental health disorders
and social and economic hardship. Studies suggest that depression, mood disorders,
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, substance misuse, low self-esteem, self-harming behaviours
and suicide are common psychological consequences of IPV (Bacchus et al., 2003; Bailey and
Daugherty, 2007; Coker, 2007; Devries et al., 2013; Vincent and Jouriles, 2000). Moreover,
prolonged exposure to IPV can also trigger neurodevelopmental changes including rewiringof
threat assessment and fear networks (Le Doux, 1996; Meloy, 1992; Monahan and OLeary,
1999; Smith et al., 2001; Wilbur et al., 2001). IPV is also associated with adverse physical health
Received 31 May 2019
Revised 7 August 2019
17 October 2019
Accepted 1 November 2019
Deborah Morris is Consultant
Clinical Psychologist at
Academic Centre and
Research Centre,
St Andrews Healthcare,
Northamptonshire, UK.
Claudia Camden-Smith is
based at Oxford Clinic, Oxford
Health NHS Foundation Trust,
Oxford, UK.
Robert Batten is based at
School of Psychology,
University of Lincoln,
Lincoln, UK.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-05-2019-0017 VOL. 14 NO. 1 2020, pp. 1-13, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCESIN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
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