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AN ENHANCED NURSE HOME VISITATION PROGRAM TO PREVENT INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Presenters: Lynette Feder

Abstract Category: Research 

Instruction Level: Beginner

Presentation: Not Provided

Description:      

This presentation describes the process of developing, implementing and evaluating an experimental intimate partner violence prevention program.

Abstract:

This experimental intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention program builds upon an established nurse home visitation program, Olds’ Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), which pairs nurses with individual families who are at high risk of child abuse and neglect.  In NFP the nurse develops a personal relationship with a woman early in her pregnancy and continues working with her and her child until his second birthday. 

This program has been found to have both short and long-term beneficial effects in improving pregnancy outcomes, quality of parental care giving (and associated child health and developmental outcomes), and maternal life-course development.  However, the program’s effectiveness has been found to be attenuated by the existence of intimate partner violence. 

NFP is thought to serve as a solid foundation to build an IPV prevention program because the factors that place a household at greater risk of child abuse are the same variables that place it at higher risk of intimate partner violence. Additionally, long term follow-up of NFP clients, find significant numbers reporting IPV in the time since the program ended. 

This experimental IPV prevention program is based on a choice or empowerment model and is comprised of several components including: (1) standardized and regular risk assessments on the partner’s emotionally or physically controlling and/or abusive behaviors; (2) Within My Reach curriculum seeking to teach women about recognizing, working towards and maintaining healthy relationships; and (3) an intervention component when women reveal that there is IPV

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