“And then the person sort of just drops off the radar...”: Barriers in the Transition from Hospital to Community-Based Care among survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in metro Atlanta Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the availability of many resources and services to assist survivors of IPV, there remain significant obstacles to accessing IPV resources. When survivors are admitted or choose to seek help at a hospital, IPV can be difficult to identify and, in many cases, not reported. Without a transition program that helps survivors to community care, it is up to survivors to seek care. This study explores the barriers for survivors of intimate partner violence as they transition from hospitals to community-based care in metro Atlanta.

 

Methods: The purpose of this study was to characterize the perceptions of IPV survivors’ needs when transitioning from hospital to community-based care among a sample of staff working in community-based organizations. We used a mixed-methods study design to conduct a cross-sectional examination of the perceptions and experiences of staff working at an organization serving IPV survivors in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; we were specifically interested in the transition from hospital to community-based care and interactions between IPV survivors and the organizations serving them.

 

Results: Five inductive themes emerged from the data: (1) CBOs are challenged in meeting survivor needs in part due to financial strain with subthemes related to transportation, housing, survivor financial situations, and CBO funding; (2) CBO staff observed changes in IPV frequency, severity, and typology during the pandemic; (3) CBOs face logistical barriers supporting survivors transitioning from hospitals to CBOs inhibiting timely holistic care with a subtheme of care-seeking; (4) CBOs want to avoid survivor retraumatization and create more coordinated care for survivors; and (5) CBO staff believe that informal community and social support is important for IPV prevention and response.

 

Conclusions: This study provides a deeper understanding of the CBO perspective on the trajectory of IPV survivors as they transition from hospitals to CBOs. In addition, it gives insight into the gaps in providing holistic care for IPV survivors. 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

    Introduction and Rationale 1

    Problem Statement 2

    Purpose Statement 3

    Significance Statement 4

Chapter 2: Comprehensive Review of the Literature 5

Chapter 3: Methods 16

    Design 16

    Instrument 16

    Participants 18

    Data Collection 19

   Data Analysis 19

Results 21

Discussion 38

Limitations 41

Chapter 6: Conclusions and Public Health Implications/Recommendations 43

References 45

Appendices 54

Appendix I: In-depth Interview Guide 54

Appendix II: Codebook 58

Community-Based Organizations (CBO) Codebook 58

List of Tables and Figures

Table 1. Demographic Information for CBO Staff 37

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Intimate Partner Violence Help-seeking Violence Prevention and Control Community-based organizations United States
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Dabney, Evans, Emory University

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