TY - JOUR
T1 - Help seeking by male victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse
T2 - an example of an integrated mixed methods synthesis of systematic review evidence defining methodological terms
AU - Huntley, Alyson L
AU - Szilassy, Eszter
AU - Potter, Lucy C
AU - Malpass, Alice
AU - Williamson, Emma
AU - Feder, Gene S
PY - 2020/11/26
Y1 - 2020/11/26
N2 - Background
Domestic violence and abuse is a violation of human rights which damages the health and wellbeing of victims, their families and their friends. There has been less research on the experiences and support needs of male victims than those of women. Historically research on men’s experiences has not focused on what constitutes
effective, needs-led service provision. The aim of this paper was to conduct an integrated mixed methods synthesis of systematic review evidence on the topic of
help-seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Methods
An integrated mixed methods synthesis approach was taken to enhance our understanding of the complex phenomenon of help seeking by, and service provision
to male victims. This process also identifies gaps in the evidence. Using previously identified systematic review data; mixed methods data from four primary-level service
evaluation studies, along with expert and patient consultation were used to develop research propositions . Primary-level qualitative interview and survey data from 12
studies of men experiences were mapped onto the propositions to support them.
Results
Fourteen propositions were composed. Seven propositions were supported or at least partly supported by the qualitative data. These supported propositions were used to
make recommendations for policy and practice particularly concerning service preferences of male victims. The remaining seven propositions were not specifically
supported by the qualitative data. These unsupported propositions were used to develop research recommendations concerning the need to further understand the
potential blurred boundaries of victim–perpetrator, hybrid perpetrator-victim experiences, men who are/have been victims of childhood sexual abuse and
determining the level of risk for men. They also highlight the need to produce better guidance for the response of the police & the criminal justice system. Finally, they
highlight the need to produce the most appropriate service for men in terms of access, linkage, substance/alcohol abuse, mental health, sexuality, and race.
Conclusion
Integrated mixed-methods synthesis of systematic review evidence is a relatively novel approach. This approach can lead to recommendations for policy and practice as well as highlighting gaps in the research agenda as shown in this example.
AB - Background
Domestic violence and abuse is a violation of human rights which damages the health and wellbeing of victims, their families and their friends. There has been less research on the experiences and support needs of male victims than those of women. Historically research on men’s experiences has not focused on what constitutes
effective, needs-led service provision. The aim of this paper was to conduct an integrated mixed methods synthesis of systematic review evidence on the topic of
help-seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Methods
An integrated mixed methods synthesis approach was taken to enhance our understanding of the complex phenomenon of help seeking by, and service provision
to male victims. This process also identifies gaps in the evidence. Using previously identified systematic review data; mixed methods data from four primary-level service
evaluation studies, along with expert and patient consultation were used to develop research propositions . Primary-level qualitative interview and survey data from 12
studies of men experiences were mapped onto the propositions to support them.
Results
Fourteen propositions were composed. Seven propositions were supported or at least partly supported by the qualitative data. These supported propositions were used to
make recommendations for policy and practice particularly concerning service preferences of male victims. The remaining seven propositions were not specifically
supported by the qualitative data. These unsupported propositions were used to develop research recommendations concerning the need to further understand the
potential blurred boundaries of victim–perpetrator, hybrid perpetrator-victim experiences, men who are/have been victims of childhood sexual abuse and
determining the level of risk for men. They also highlight the need to produce better guidance for the response of the police & the criminal justice system. Finally, they
highlight the need to produce the most appropriate service for men in terms of access, linkage, substance/alcohol abuse, mental health, sexuality, and race.
Conclusion
Integrated mixed-methods synthesis of systematic review evidence is a relatively novel approach. This approach can lead to recommendations for policy and practice as well as highlighting gaps in the research agenda as shown in this example.
KW - Mixed methods
KW - Systematic review evidence
KW - Domestic violence
KW - Male victims
KW - Help seeking
U2 - 10.1186/s12913-020-05931-x
DO - 10.1186/s12913-020-05931-x
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 33243236
VL - 20
JO - BMC Health Services Research
JF - BMC Health Services Research
SN - 1472-6963
M1 - 1085 (2020)
ER -