Thesis Title:
Experiences of Postpartum Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence with Serious Mental Health Illness
Thesis Abstract:
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a form of domestic abuse referring to behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm. In England and Wales, an estimated 3.8 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025, including 2.2 million women, with partner abuse more common than family abuse. Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Barking and Dagenham recorded some of the highest rates of domestic abuse-related offences in London. These boroughs also experience relatively high levels of socioeconomic deprivation, and local mother and baby unit data show ethnic disparities within admissions under the Mental Health Act. The perinatal period is a time of increased IPV risk, especially for women with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) such as depression or psychosis. This is concerning given IPV is strongly associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. IPV not only negatively impacts women, but also extends to their unborn/newborn child.
In partnership between QMUL and East London NHS Foundation Trust, this PhD therefore aims to explore the experiences of survivors of IPV with SMI during the perinatal period, specifically how IPV shapes pathways to and experiences of mental health care, and healthcare professionals’ experiences of providing mental health support to such population. Findings will be used to co-design recommendations and best practice guidance for future use in clinics.
Primary Supervisor:
Dr Sania Shakoor