Citation

Yamada N. J. Jpn. Acad. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurs. 2008; 17(1): 34-43.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Japan Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to establish a feasible methodology to identify and support victims of domestic violence(DV) in Japan in relation to the role of nursing professionals. In Japan, the majority of DV victims visit hospitals and health centers without recognizing themselves as DV victims. In this study, a check list(CL) for assessing potential DV victims was formulated. Prior to the finalization of the CL, a pre-test was conducted in X prefecture by obtaining voluntary participation of community health nurses and clinical nurses, who are in the front-lines of DV assessment. The contents of the CL were, thereby, finalized taking into consideration the pre-test results and the trial used at the DV Consultation Centre of that prefecture. In this surveillance, among 120 responses from Community Health Nurses, two suspicious cases of DV, including one case of child abuse, were detected.In addition to that, responses given by clinical nurses indicated four DV cases comprising of two women and two elderly individuals. Questionnaire respondents identified some risk factors which were found to be important observation points for detecting DV victims during consultations. Those were domestic financial constraints (40 clients, 74.1%) and malaise and/or depression (34 clients, 63%). Furthermore, violence by husband to child and disorder in a child's daily life pattern (16 clients, 57.1%) were also considered risk factors. As a result of the study, observers perceptions of risk factors were found to be different depending upon the categories of nursing services. It was found to be crucial for the nursing professionals attending the clients to be sensitive to the unnatural or artificial manner of the clients due to their closed attitudes. It is also advisable to maximize the use of the CL with appropriate questioning to allow the clients to relax and be open.