Thesis Title:
Experiences of Postpartum Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence with Serious Mental Health Illness
Thesis Abstract:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a continuum of abuse experienced between romantic partners, including homicide, physical and sexual assault as well as psychological abuse (e.g., coercion, harassment). It is prevalent in England and Wales, where estimated 2.1 million of those aged 16 years and over have experienced IPV in 2023. Within London, some of the highest rates of IPV offences were reported in East boroughs including Newham, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham. Pregnancy and the postpartum periods are a time of increased risk of experiencing IPV, especially for those with serious mental health illnesses (SMI) (i.e. depression, psychosis). This is particularly worrisome given that 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, East London NHS Foundation Trust, and Survivors Voices, This proposed PhD will explore pregnancy and postpartum experiences amongst survivors of IPV with SMI, including pathways to, and experiences of, mental health care and recovery. This PhD will also investigate the experiences of health care practitioners in identifying and supporting survivors of IPV attending perinatal mental health clinics. These results will be used to co-design recommendations and best practice for future use in clinics. Together the findings from this work will provide important insights into whether experiences of IPV have a differential impact on the pathways and experiences of care and recovery amongst women attending perinatal mental health clinics. Crucially, the results will positively impact the delivery of mental health care to this group.
Primary Supervisor:
Dr Sania Shakoor