Citation

Fiolet R, Brown C, Wellington M, Bentley K, Hegarty K. Glob. Qual. Nurs. Res. 2021; 8: e23333936211028176.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/23333936211028176

PMID

34263012

Abstract

Technology-facilitated abuse can be a serious form of domestic violence. Little is known about the relationship between technology-facilitated abuse and other types of domestic violence, or the impact technology-facilitated abuse has on survivors. The aim of this interpretative descriptive study is to understand domestic violence specialist service providers' perspectives on the impact of technology-facilitated abuse, and the link between technology-facilitated abuse and other forms of domestic violence. A qualitative approach using 15 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Australian domestic violence specialist practitioners, and three themes were identified through data coding using inductive thematic analysis. Another form of control describes technology-facilitated abuse behaviors as enacting controlling behaviors using new mediums. Amplifies level of fear characterizes the impact of technology-facilitated abuse. A powerful tool to engage others describes opportunities technology offers perpetrators to abuse through engaging others.

FINDINGS highlight technology-facilitated abuse's complexity and integral role in domestic violence and can assist clinicians to understand the impact and harm that can result from technology-facilitated abuse.

Language: en

Keywords

Australia; social media; qualitative research; domestic violence; coercive control; technology-facilitated abuse