Developing Comprehensive Screening and Treatment for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

NIH RePORTER · VA · IK2 · · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern with significant negative consequences for those who experience it and wide-ranging impact on children, families, and the healthcare system. However, IPV is an especially prevalent health issue for Veterans, who are at increased risk of both experiencing and perpetrating IPV. More than one out of three women Veterans experience IPV and up to 60% of Veteran men report IPV perpetration. Although VHA currently recommends routine screening of IPV experiences among women Veterans, no guidelines or instruments currently exist for IPV perpetration screening. Moreover, effective intervention development for IPV perpetration is in its infancy with no evidence- based individual treatment available for IPV perpetration. In order to improve Veterans' health and reduce rates of IPV, effective and acceptable screening and treatment for IPV perpetration must exist. Significance/Impact: IPV perpetration detection, followed by behavioral intervention, are urgently needed for IPV cessation and improved health of Veterans with these common presenting problems. Yet there has been little progress to develop tools and procedures for IPV perpetration, and no guidelines on best practices for IPV perpetration screening or treatment exist. The findings of the proposed research will improve the health and functioning of Veterans and their families, enhance much needed healthcare response for this population, and inform VHA national efforts for IPV response among Veterans. Innovation: This project is innovative in its focus on IPV perpetration. With the majority of IPV research focusing on IPV victimization, there is currently a significant gap in knowledge related to IPV perpetration, including limited tools and procedures with which to address perpetration of IPV among Veterans. Enhancing services for those who experience IPV is essential, but insufficient. In order to reduce and prevent IPV, a comprehensive healthcare response necessitates implementing validated screening to detect IPV perpetration among Veterans and developing intervention protocols to address IPV perpetration. Completion of the CDA research aims will provide VHA with the data and tools necessary to inform IPV efforts, practices, and policy. Aims: The primary objective of this research is to decrease IPV among Veterans. To do so, we must have effective and acceptable tools and protocols. Aim 1: Evaluate the psychometric properties and cut-scores of a previously developed IPV screening tool. Aim 2: Identify an effective IPV perpetration intervention process and essential treatment components and develop an intervention manual. Aim 3: Conduct a pilot study of the IPV perpetration manualized intervention in a sample of Veterans. Methodology: For Aim 1, we will calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of the screening instrument in comparison to the ...

Key facts

NIH application ID
10300985
Project number
5IK2HX002897-02
Recipient
VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Principal Investigator
Galina Alexandra Portnoy
Activity code
IK2
Funding institute
VA
Fiscal year
2022
Award amount
Award type
5
Project period
2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30