Integrated Multicomponent Interventions for Safety and Health Risks Among Black Female Survivors of Violence: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The epidemic of violence disproportionately affects women, including Black women. Black women survivors of violence have been found to face multiple safety and health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, and poor reproductive health. Many health issues co-occur, and this co-occurrence can be associated with additional safety and health-related challenges for survivors. Consequently, there is a need for multicomponent interventions that are designed to concurrently address multiple health issues commonly faced by Black survivors of violence. This systematic review of literature determines the efficacy of various strategies used in the existing evidence-based multicomponent interventions on violence reduction, promotion of reproductive health, reduction in risk for HIV, reduction in levels of stress, and improvement in mental health. Sixteen intervention studies were identified. Examples of components found to be efficacious in the studies were safety planning for violence, skill building in self-care for mental health, education and self-regulatory skills for HIV, mindfulness-based stress reduction for reducing stress, and individual counseling for reproductive health. Although some strategies were found to be efficacious in improving outcomes for survivors, the limitations in designs and methods, and exclusive focus on intimate partner violence calls for more rigorous research for this population, particularly for Black survivors of all forms of violence. There is also need for culturally responsive multicomponent interventions that account for diversity among Black survivors.

Psychological and pharmacological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid mental health problems following complex traumatic events: Systematic review and component network meta-analysis

“…In this sense, phase-based approaches can be realigned as multicomponent treatments with phasing conceptualised as an intervention component rather than a separate intervention category. There is emerging evidence that multicomponent interventions that can be delivered in an integrated or sequenced way and target more than one outcome are efficacious for people with multiple and often competing health and behavioural problems [153], including those with complex trauma [154].…”

Research on women with substance use disorders: Reviewing progress and developing a research and implementation roadmap

“…SUD treatment is a particularly powerful HIV prevention tool for WWUD (Springer et al, 2015). Integrated models of care that incorporate these tools have been shown to be effective (Sabri and Gielen, 2017), but they have often paid minimal attention to gender-specific areas that should be addressed by future research (Wechsberg et al, 2015).…”

The Efficacy of a Health Promotion Intervention for Indigenous Women: Reclaiming Our Spirits

“…Interventions offered over extended periods of time, particularly those that use counseling and structured therapy, have shown promise in reducing the negative effects of IPV including PTSD symptoms and depression and in improving the quality of life (QOL) and social support of women ( Eckhardt et al, 2013 ; Johnson, Zlotnick, & Perez, 2011 ; Sullivan, Bybee, & Allen, 2002 ). Components found to be effective include safety planning for violence, skill building in self-care for mental health, and strategies for reducing stress ( Sabri & Gielen, 2017 ). There is empirical support showing that effective IPV interventions should be tailored to meet the needs of specific women and their stage of readiness ( C. Anderson, 2003 ; Haggerty & Goodman, 2003 ) and place responsibility not solely on service providers but on the system as a whole where one point of contact connects to other access points for IPV information and services ( Chang et al, 2005 ).…”