Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Original Articles and Reviews

Digital Interventions to Support and Treat Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

A Systematic Review

Published Online:June 02, 2023https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000504

Abstract

Abstract: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a public health issue. Digital interventions are emerging as a promise to overcome known-barriers to accessing usual IPV services, which have been supporting and treating IPV victims or their survivors, offering safer, more interactive, and real time access to help. Hence, a systematic review was carried out to identify and characterize current digital interventions to respond to IPV, including associated mental health conditions, and related outcomes among victims and survivors. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched in three databases: EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science. Last search was performed in December 2022. Of the 1,816 electronic articles retrieved, and six added after a manual search, 16 studies were selected. Published between 2010 and 2021, the studies were experimental or quasi-experimental, with quantitative methodologies. Publication data, objectives, sample, design, instruments, intervention characteristics, results and conclusions were extracted from each study. Regarding results, safety decision aid or a variant was the most reported digital intervention. Significant improvements were identified for IPV exposure, related outcomes such as decisional conflict and safety strategies, and mental health conditions. In short, digital interventions hold promise, however there is a clear need for research focused on hard-to-reach victims or women who have left the abuser. Digital interventions have to be adapted to their needs, and security and privacy issues must be better ensured. The risk of publication bias and the exclusion of some specific keywords in the search were limitations of the study.

References The asterisk in the references list aims to identify the studies included in this review.

  • Alvarez, C., Debnam, K., Clough, A., Alexander, K., & Glass, N. (2018). Responding to intimate partner violence: Healthcare providers’ current practices and views on integrating a safety decision aid into primary care settings. Research in Nursing & Health, 41(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.21853 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Anderson, E., Krause, C., Meyer Krause, C., Welter, A., McClelland, D., Garcia, D., Ernst, K., Lopez, E., & Koss, M. (2019). Web-based and mHealth interventions for intimate partner violence victimization prevention: A systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 20(10), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838019888889 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Araújo, G. E., Cruz, O. S., & Moreira, D. (2023). Maladaptive beliefs of young adults in interpersonal relationships: A systematic literature review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(2), 646–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211038684 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Bagwell-Gray, M., Loerzel, E., Sacco, G., Messing, J., Glass, N., Sabri, B., Jock, B., Arscott, J., Brockie, T., & Campbell, J. (2020). From myPlan to ourCircle: Adapting a web-based safety planning intervention for native American women exposed to intimate partner violence. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 30(1–2), 163–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2020.1770651 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Bloom, T., Glass, N., Case, J., Wright, C., Nolte, K., & Parsons, L. (2014). Feasibility of an online safety planning intervention for rural and urban pregnant abused women. Nursing Research, 63(4), 243–251. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0000000000000036 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Calton, J., Cattaneo, L., & Gebhard, K. (2016). Barriers to help seeking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer survivors of intimate partner violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(5), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838015585318 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Choo, E., Zlotnick, C., Strong, D., Squires, D., Tapé, C., & Mello, M. (2016). BSAFER: A web-based intervention for drug use and intimate partner violence demonstrates feasibility and acceptability among women in the emergency department. Substance Abuse, 37(3), 441–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2015.1134755 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Constantino, R., Braxter, B., Ren, D., Burroughs, J., Doswell, W., Wu, L., Hwang, J., Klem, M. L., Joshi, J., & Greene, W. (2015). Comparing online with face-to-face HELPP intervention in women experiencing intimate partner violence. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 36(6), 430–438. https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2014.991049 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Decker, M., Wood, S., Hameeduddin, Z., Kennedy, S., Perrin, N., Tallam, C., Akumu, I., Wanjiru, I., Asira, B., Frankel, A., Omondi, B., Case, J., Clough, A., Otieno, R., Mwiti, M., & Glass, N. (2020). Safety decision-making and planning mobile app for intimate partner violence prevention and response: Randomised controlled trial in Kenya. BMJ Global Health, 5(7), Article e002091. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002091 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Doss, B., Roddy, M., Wiebe, S., & Johnson, S. (2022). A review of the research during 2010–2019 on evidence-based treatments for couple relationship distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(1), 283–306. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12552 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Eden, K., Perrin, N., Hanson, G., Messing, J., Bloom, T., Campbell, J., Gielen, A., Clough, A., Barnes-Hoyt, J., & Glass, N. (2015). Use of online safety decision aid by abused women: Effect on decisional conflict in a RCT. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(4), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2014.09.027 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • El Morr, C., & Layal, M. (2020). Effectiveness of ICT-based intimate partner violence interventions: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09408-8 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Emezue, C. (2020). Digital or digitally delivered responses to domestic and intimate partner violence during COVID-19. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 6(3), Article e19831. https://doi.org/10.2196/19831 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Emezue, C., Chase, J., Udmuangipa, T., & Bloom, T. (2022). Technology‐based and digital interventions for intimate partner violence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(3), Article e1271. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1271 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Effective Public Healthcare Panacea Project (EPHPP). (2010). Quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. Hamilton: The Effective Public Health Practice Project. http://www.ephpp.ca/quality-assessment-tool-for-quantitative-studies/ First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • *Fiorillo, D., McLean, C., Pistorello, J., Hayes, S., & Follette, V. (2016). Evaluation of a web-based acceptance and commitment therapy program for women with trauma-related problems. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 6(1), 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.11.003 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Fogarty, A., Savopoulos, P., Seymour, M., Cox, A., Williams, K., Petrie, S., Herman, S., Toone, E., Schroeder, K., & Giallo, R. (2022). Providing therapeutic services to women and children who have experienced intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and learnings. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130, 105365–105381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105365 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Ford-Gilboe, M., Varcoe, C., Scott-Storey, K., Perrin, N., Wuest, J., Wathen, C., Case, J., & Glass, N. (2020). Longitudinal impacts of an online safety and health intervention for women experiencing intimate partner violence: Randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8152-8 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Garcia-Moreno, C., Hegarty, K., Lucas d’Oliveira, A., Koziol-McLain, J., Colombini, M., & Feder, G. (2015). The health-systems response to violence against women. The Lancet, 385(9977), 1567–1579. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61837-7 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Glass, N., Clough, A., Messing, J., Bloom, T., Brown, M., Eden, K., Campbell, J., Gielen, A., Laughon, K., Grace, K., Turner, R., Alvarez, C., Case, J., Barnes-Hoyt, J., Alhusen, J., Hanson, G., & Perrin, N. (2021). Longitudinal impact of the myPlan app on health and safety among college women experiencing partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(13–14), Article NP11436. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260521991880 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Glass, N., Eden, K., Bloom, T., & Perrin, N. (2010). Computerized aid improves safety decision process for survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(11), 1947–1964. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260509354508 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Glass, N., Perrin, N., Hanson, G., Bloom, T., Messing, J., Clough, A., Campbell, J., Gielen, A. C., Case, J., & Eden, K. (2017). The longitudinal impact of an internet safety decision aid for abused women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(5), 606–615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.12.014 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Gresham, A., Peters, B., Karantzas, G., Cameron, L., & Simpson, J. (2021). Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(8), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211012098 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hanson, G., Messing, J., Anderson, J., Thaller, J., Perrin, N., & Glass, N. (2021). Patterns and usefulness of safety behaviors among community-based women survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(17–18), 8768–8791. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519853401 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Hassija, C., & Gray, M. (2011). The effectiveness and feasibility of videoconferencing technology to provide evidence-based treatment to rural domestic violence and sexual assault populations. Telemedicine and e-Health, 17(4), 309–315. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2010.0147 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Hegarty, K., Tarzia, L., Valpied, J., Murray, E., Humphreys, C., Taft, A., Novy, K., Gold, L., & Glass, N. (2019). An online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing intimate partner violence (I-DECIDE): A randomized controlled trial. Lancet Public Health, 4(6), e301–e310. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30079-9 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Jewkes, R., & Dartnall, E. (2019). More research is needed on digital technologies in violence against women. Lancet Public Health, 4(6), E270–E271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30076-3 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Koziol-McLain, J., Vandal, A. C., Wilson, D., Nada-Raja, S., Dobbs, T., McLean, C., Sisk, R., Eden, K., & Glass, N. (2018). Efficacy of a web-based safety decision aid for women experiencing intimate partner violence: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(12), Article e426. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8617 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Kundel, H., & Polansky, M. (2003). Measurement of observer agreement. Radiology, 228(2), 303–308. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2282011860 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Linde, D., Bakiewicz, A., Normann, A., Hansen, N., Lundh, A., & Rasch, V. (2020). Intimate partner violence and electronic health interventions: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(12), Article e22361. https://doi.org/10.2196/22361 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Littleton, H., Grills, A., Kline, K., Schoemann, A., & Dodd, J. (2016). The from survivor to thriver program: RCT of an online therapist-facilitated program for rape-related PTSD. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 43, 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.07.010 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lyons, M., & Brewer, G. (2022). Experiences of intimate partner violence during lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family Violence, 37(6), 969–977. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00260-x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Maftei, A., & Danila, O. (2021). Give me your password! What are you hiding? Associated factors of intimate partner violence through technological abuse. Current Psychology, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02197-2 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Miller, E., & McCaw, B. (2019). Intimate partner violence. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(9), 850–857. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1807166 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Miller, W., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational interviewing. Preparing people to change (3rd ed.). The Guildford Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Moreira, D., & Costa, M. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the precipitation of intimate partner violence. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 71, Article 101606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2020.101606 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • O’Campo, P., Velonis, A., Buhariwala, P., Kamalanathan, J., Hassan, M., & Metheny, N. (2021). Design and development of a suite of intimate partner violence screening and safety planning web apps: User-centered approach. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.2196/24114 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • O’Doherty, L., Taft, A., McNair, R., & Hegarty, K. (2016). Fractured identity in the context of intimate partner violence: Barriers to and opportunities for seeking help in health settings. Violence Against Women, 22(2), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801215601248 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Page, M., McKenzie, J., Bossuyt, P., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T., Mulrow, C., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J., Akl, E., Brennan, S., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M., Li, T., Loder, E., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. PLoS Medicine, 18(3), Article e1003583. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003583 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rempel, E., Donelle, L., Hall, J., & Rodger, S. (2018). Intimate partner violence: A review of online interventions. Informatics for Health and Social Care, 44(2), 204–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538157.2018.1433675 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Roddy, M., Georgia, E., & Doss, B. (2018). Couples with intimate partner violence seeking relationship help: Associations and implications for self-help and online interventions. Family Process, 57(2), 293–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12291 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sabri, B., Njie-Carr, V., Messing, J., Glass, N., Brockie, T., Hanson, G., Case, J., & Campbell, J. C. (2019). The weWomen and ourCircle randomized controlled trial protocol: A web-based intervention for immigrant, refugee and indigenous IPV women. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 76, 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2018.11.013 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Stacey, D., Légaré, F., Lewis, K., Barry, M., Bennett, C., Eden, K., Holmes-Rovner, M., Llewellyn-Thomas, H., Lyddiatt, A., Thomson, R., & Trevena, L. (2017). Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4(14). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001431.pub5 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Tarzia, L., Iyer, D., Thrower, E., & Hegarty, K. (2017). Young Australian women’s views on using the internet and smartphones to address intimate partner violence. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 35(3), 199–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2017.1350616 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • *Tiwari, A., Fong, D., Yuen, K., Yuk, H., Pang, P., Humphreys, J., & Bullock, L. (2010). Effect of an advocacy intervention on mental health in Chinese women survivors of intimate partner violence: A RCT. Journal of American Medical Association, 304(5), 536–543. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1052 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • World Health Organization. (2019). WHO guideline: Recommendations on digital interventions for health system strengthening, WHO. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • *Zlotnick, C., Wernette, G., & Raker, C. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of a computer-based brief intervention for victimized perinatal women seeking mental health treatment. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 22(3), 315–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0895-1 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar