IPV: An Explosive Crisis in Minority Healthcare Professionals – 5 Reasons

Last updated on November 26, 2022

To ensure public safety from the coronavirus, we are to stay home as much as possible. But the house may not be a safe place if you come across intimate partner violence (IPV) of any kind. There are so many problems associated with IPV. One nagging issue is the ever-growing occurrence among immigrant healthcare professionals.

In this post, we will delve into the profound dynamics surrounding IPV. We will answer vital questions related to IPV in this population. Also, we will explore strategies that could prevent such events. Only then will we be able to contribute to the fight to stop it.

Intimate Partner Violence Definition

“Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term “intimate partner violence” describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.“

Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention

The Horrific Trend of Intimate Partner Violence

On Friday, December 18, 2020, an established couple living in Sugarland, Texas, originally from Delta State, Nigeria, was found dead in their family home. A murder-suicide investigation is ongoing.

This horrible trend of IPV is old. Above is only one of many cases of foreign-born registered nurses living in the United States. They are the most affected minority health care practitioners. A hotline in the United States, attempting to tackle the high rate of intimate partner violence against nurses in the Nigerian diaspora reports receiving 10-15 calls a year. These calls detail an intent to harm an intimate partner.

Yes, IPV occurs in all populations. However, people of color are the most likely victims.

45.1% of Black women and 40.1% of Black men have experienced intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.
An estimated 51.3% of black adult female homicides are related to intimate partner violence

source: national coalition against domestic violence

Also, women of color are at increased risk of dying at the hands of a perpetrator.

What Increases the Likelihood of IPV Happening?

Below is as simple illustration:

All five risk factors are generally related to one another.

Why does Intimate Partner Violence Happen?

1. It is all about power and control, stemming from the great insecurity that practically all abusers possess.

Personality plays an enormous role in the phenomenon of IPV. And that’s largely shaped through culture.

Gender, Power, and Violence: Responding to Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence in Society Today

2. Perhaps it is due to cultural and possibly religious beliefs? Traditionally, males have always played a leading role in the family.

However, with modernization and civilization, educated women earn more and often become more outspoken in family decision-making and processes. Naturally, the male ego gets hurt. The question arises as to who is responsible for the household chores and other responsibilities. That is a recipe for long-term conflict.

Changes in traditional family structures, gender roles, and responsibilities are among the most stressful postmigration challenges for non-Western immigrant families

Source: Akinsulure-smith et. al

3. Past research links low socioeconomic status to higher levels of intimate partner violence. Unfortunately, that is perhaps not the case with minority healthcare professionals.

In contrast to such findings, moving up the socioeconomic scale (earning more money) does not resolve the situation. Nevertheless, food and housing instability are important determinants.

4. We have to realize that aggression is not natural to humans. Most men want to love and cherish their partners and do not want to hurt them. We can therefore argue that these events are perhaps the result of a form of mental illness.

Persons with mood disorders, low self-confidence, or personality problems often use their partners to ease their emotional frustrations. It applies to men and women with different types of psychopathy. That is no excuse to abuse. However, our attitudes about family violence need to reflect this fact.

5. A combination of someone’s environment, genetics (gene-environment interaction), and brain anatomy can contribute to aggressive traits. Also, some studies suggest that the design of shared homes and spaces may reduce or increase anger. Given people’s emotional relationships with physical spaces, studies indicate that changes in how humans build and use their environment could save lives.

Intimate Partner Violence Affects the Entire Family.

Family and Intimate Partner Violence: Heavy Hands (What’s New in Criminal Justice)

• Physical and psychological forms of intimate partner violence can lead to severe mental health problems. Psychological intimate partner violence includes controlling social activities, restricting finances, insults, and gaslighting.

How Intimate Partner Violence Affects Children: Developmental Research, Case Studies, and Evidence-Based Intervention

• Intimate partner violence against a mother is associated with an increased risk of speech, communication, and neurological differences in young children. Documented in infants and toddlers is the occurrence of acute respiratory infections and other diseases.

1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence

Sherry Hamby Et Al., 2011

Impact Reduction: Best Practices for IPV Victims/Offenders.

1. Do not deal with intimate partner violence alone
   • Perhaps your instinct is to be silent or isolate yourself. Instead, look for social connections and help from family, friends, and community organizations to enhance safety and minimize harm. Social contact provides support and helps you tolerate life’s up and downs. If you have time, consider volunteering at your place of worship or for a charity and helping yourself while helping others.
2. Build stronger personal relationships
   • High-quality relationships give more meaning to life while you cultivate appreciation and optimism. They help to enhance the capacity to deal with distress. 
3. Make a conscious effort to stay healthy
   • Eat healthily, get regular exercise, and get plenty of sleep.
4. Manage stress situations through relaxation techniques
   • Active ways to relax are outdoor hiking or sports. Other relaxation methods include meditating, progressive relaxation of the muscles, tai chi, and yoga. Choose whichever is right for you and practice it regularly. It helps improve emotional awareness, reactions, and self-management. Take it easy on yourself and have more time to unwind.
5. Try laughter yoga
   • Yoga practice is a favorite of the Public Health EDIT. This post will not be complete without stressing its therapeutic effects. Laughter yoga alleviates stress, strengthens immunity, combats depression, and eventually makes people more positive thinkers

  Laughter yoga is “breakthrough technology”—exercises designed to get people to laugh for no reason. These, combined with simple yoga breathing techniques and “laughter meditation,” are the heart of Laughter Yoga.

yoga journal

Finally, seek counseling

You may need to look for support in the form of therapy or counseling. It is a proactive approach if you feel overwhelmed or trapped. Professionals trained in this area can help you figure out the best protective strategies against IPV. They teach coping tools that reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim or an offender of IPV.

If you or anyone you know is the victim of abuse, here are some resources:

In the United States and Canada: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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