Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Supervisor

Mantler, Tara

Abstract

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada as a result of increased economic pressures and social isolation brought on by stay-at home orders. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women experiencing IPV experienced declines in mental health conditions and unique difficulties in accessing mental health services amid closures, shifts in service delivery, and inconsistent availabilities.

Methods: An online survey was administered to 44 women living in Ontario (23 who had not experienced IPV and 16 who had not) to explore their satisfaction and access to mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used to explore differences in access and satisfaction between those who had experienced IPV and. Those who had not. An inductive thematic analysis was used to understand the types of barriers being faced by women.

Results: Women who experienced violence had higher means for satisfaction and demonstrated lower barriers of access. Women indicated using a range of mental health services with primary health care providers and pharmacies being used more frequently. The main barriers to access faced by women were waitlist challenges and the limited availability of healthcare. professionals.

Conclusion: This study highlights the nuances of access and satisfaction while capturing the need for multi-sectoral collaboration in ensuring that women know which services are available to them during global crises. Further research is required to explore the satisfaction and access of women experiencing IPV with specific mental health services.

Summary for Lay Audience

Introduction: There was an increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and globally. IPV is the most common form of GBV and is understood as physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse in the context of coercive control perpetrated by an intimate partner. The need for ongoing access to timely mental health services has been established as a priority before the COVID-19 pandemic for women experiencing IPV. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic while access to all services was disrupted, mental health services were of particular importance given the well-established isolation and associated mental health consequences of the public health guidelines and the increases in IPV. Current research focuses on the experiences of service providers and the operational challenges of delivering accessible and effective mental health services to women experiencing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, what is missing is the voice of women.

Methods: An online survey was administered to 44 women living in Ontario (23 who had not experienced IPV and 16 who had not) to explore their satisfaction and access to mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trends were used to explore differences in access and satisfaction of mental health services between those who had experienced IPV and those who had not. Responses on the types of barriers being faced by women were grouped into themes.

Results: Women who experienced violence had higher means for satisfaction and demonstrated lower barriers of access. However, the study uncovered the main barriers of access and being wait times and lack of availability of health-care professionals.

Conclusion: Overall, this study highlights the unique experiences in access and satisfaction with mental health services for women experiencing IPV while capturing the need for multi-sectoral collaboration in ensuring that women know which services are available to them during global crises. Further research is required to explore the satisfaction and access of women experiencing IPV with specific mental health services.

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