TY - JOUR PY - 2022// TI - Domestic violence screening in a public mental health service: a qualitative examination of mental health clinician responses to DFV JO - Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing A1 - Gillespie, Kerri A1 - Branjerdporn, Grace A1 - Tighe, Kym A1 - Carrasco, Angel A1 - Baird, Kathleen SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence is particularly prevalent within mental health client groups, though screening for domestic violence within mental health services is often overlooked.

AIM: To investigate the experiences and opinions of domestic violence screening by mental health clinicians in a publicly funded hospital and health service.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve clinicians working in publicly funded mental health services in Queensland, Australia. Transcripts were thematically analysed.

RESULTS: Four main themes emerged from the data: staff training and experience; prioritising domestic violence screening; attitudes to domestic violence; and victim support. Participants discussed a lack of training for, or expectations of, domestic violence screening in mental health services. They also highlighted a lack of resources enabling them to appropriately respond when domestic violence was identified.

DISCUSSION: Education, attitudes, and resources relating to domestic violence are major factors that should be addressed for the successful screening and treatment of clients in mental health. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This paper informs services of the gaps in knowledge and care around domestic violence and mental health. A less medicalised approach to the treatment of mental health should be adopted, and domestic violence training introduced for all health care practitioners, to improve client outcomes.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1351-0126 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12875 ID - ref1 ER -