Work

Mental health nurses' role in caring for women in situation of domestic violence: a scoping review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Domestic Violence (DV) has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of DV victims and their children. Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) play a crucial role in early detection, support, and promotion of safety and recovery from DV. AIM: To map and synthesize scientific evidence on intervention models implemented by MHNs in caring for women victims of DV within clinical and community mental health services. METHODS: The scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The research was carried out in scientific databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library), and gray literature through RCAAP. Articles published in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish were included, with no restrictions on publication dates, peer-reviewed and written in English. FINDINGS: Of the 186 articles identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria based on title and abstract, and seven studies were included after full text analysis. The results identified the following intervention models: Victim-centered approach, nursing interventions guided by nursing process, Tidal Model-Based psychiatric nursing approach, facilitating the mental health of abused women model, Advocacy and collaboration framework, Model Mugging, and therapeutic relationship model. These models share common principles such as risk assessment, safety planning, empowerment, and psychosocial recovery support for DV victims' recovery from DV. CONCLUSIONS: This review reinforces the crucial role of MHNs in caring for DV victims, emphasizing interventions grounded in therapeutic relationships, safety, and empowerment, and supporting recovery from DV. The findings provide valuable guidance for clinical practice, specialized training, and the development of mental health policies that promote recovery, human rights, and social justice.

Source: Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2025.152006

Authors: Cláudia M. Campos, Maria I. Carvalho, Olga M. Valentim

Institutions: University of Lisbon, Escola Superior de Enfermagem da Universidade de Lisboa, Escola Superior de Enfermagem da Universidade do Porto, Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,600