Citation

Periyasamy C, Narayanan G, Kandasamy A, Ezhumalai S. J. Psychiatry Spectr. 2024; 3(2): 88-93.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Psychiatric Society Karnataka Chapter and the author(s), Publisher Wolters Kluwer)

DOI

10.4103/jopsys.jopsys_47_23

PMID

39035346

PMCID

PMC11259049

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To examine the perspectives of mental health professionals on providing group intervention for female spouses of men with alcohol dependence who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).

METHODS: A qualitative research design was used, and a purposive sample technique was used to select the participants. Nine experts with more than five years of experience in handling partner violence cases provided insights through in-depth interviews. The transcripts were carefully examined several times, coded and re-coded. The codes were subsequently organized into thematic categories.

RESULTS: Most of the experts were between the age of 35-45 years (66.7%), females (77.8%) and had more than five years of experience in mental health and IPV (55.6%). Most of the experts (66.7%) were working in teaching institutions related to mental health and IPV. The remaining one-third (33.3%) of the experts were legal and women empowerment practitioners. The thematic analysis generated six main themes and 19 subthemes, with 189 codes. The six mean themes were: psychosocial needs and concerns, psychosocial interventions, enhancing psychological well-being, enhancing the social support systems, challenges, and therapeutic strategies.

CONCLUSION: Experts emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to IPV intervention. Group intervention addresses multiple issues that contribute to violence. Survivors need safe housing, counseling, legal help, and financial assistance.

Language: en

Keywords

intimate partner violence; qualitative study; group therapy; Mental health professionals; partner abuse