Health and Wellness Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence Support Workers: A Narrative Review

by tara lundy and joanne crawford

Intimate partner violence (IPV) support workers play an essential role in helping survivors of IPV progress in their healing journeys from trauma and abuse. They work to prevent harm and promote survivors’ health, healing, and resilience while witnessing some of the most traumatic acts of violence in their everyday work life. These experiences may cause distress that has implications for their health and therefore, there is a need to explore what is known about he health, wellness, and coping strategies of IPV support workers.

Using thematic analysis, this narrative literature review highlighted how IPV support workers are employed in diverse settings with unique roles, responsibilities, and varied credentials. Some studies reported on the meaningful aspects that promoted IPV support workers’ health based on their perceptions of experiences and may be important to their self-worth and self-esteem. Engaging in effective coping strategies – such as workplace support, self-care, and adaptation – can assist IPV support workers in combating work-related stressors and managing the psychological, physical, and social difficulties they encounter. ‘

While the review provided important insights regarding the meaningful aspects of IPV support work and coping strategies, the adverse experiences of supporting survivors significantly dominated the literature. Instances of psychological distress, physiological discomfort, interpersonal challenges, organizational issues, burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma were reported which may contribute to workers’ poor health outcomes and inability to cope. Unfortunately, the majority of studies did not clarify the context of workplaces, and this represents a gap in understanding workers' experiences. In order to promote resilience, health, and retain these highly valuable IPV support workers, it is important for future research to focus on understanding context-related experiences of IPV support workers and system differences that may influence their experiences.

This review provides unique insights on diverse IPV support work settings and roles, work-related issues that may influence workers' wellness, and rewarding aspects of IPV support work.

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Article Details
Health and Wellness Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence Support Workers: A Narrative Review
Tara Lundy, Joanne Crawford
First published February 14, 2024 Review article
DOI: 10.1177/15248380241231604
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse

About the Author

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Tara Lundy is a Registered Nurse Case Manager (Concurrent Disorders) and has earned a Masters of Nursing. Her clinical background is in sexual assault and domestic violence nursing, mental health, and community health care. Tara’s current research focuses on the health of community workers who support women survivors of intimate partner violence, and she has experience in conducting qualitative and review studies. She has work experience as a Teaching Assistant for nursing students, and as a Research Assistant on several community-based projects related to women’s health and well-being. Tara’s research interests include gender-based violence and trauma, mental health, women’s health, understanding health disparities, and promoting health equity.