Technology-Based Mental Health Interventions for Domestic Violence Victims Amid COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Domestic violence is a threat to human dignity and public health. Mounting evidence shows that domestic violence erodes personal and public health, spawning issues such as lifelong mental health challenges. To further compound the situation, COVID-19 and societies’ poor response to the pandemic have not only worsened the domestic violence crisis but also disrupted mental health services for domestic violence victims. While technology-based health solutions can overcome physical constraints posed by the pandemic and offer timely support to address domestic violence victims’ mental health issues, there is a dearth of research in the literature. To bridge the research gap, in this study, we aim to examine technology-based mental health solutions for domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine solutions that domestic violence victims can utilize to safeguard and improve their mental health amid COVID-19. Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were utilized for the literature search. The search was focused on four themes: domestic violence, mental health, technology-based interventions, and COVID-19. A reverse search of pertinent references was conducted in Google Scholar. The social ecological model was utilized to systematically structure the review findings. Results: The findings show that a wide array of technology-based solutions has been proposed to address mental health challenges faced by domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. However, none of these proposals is based on empirical evidence amid COVID-19. In terms of social and ecological levels of influence, most of the interventions were developed on the individual level, as opposed to the community level or social level, effectively placing the healthcare responsibility on the victims rather than government and health officials. Furthermore, most of the articles failed to address risks associated with utilizing technology-based interventions (e.g., privacy issues) or navigating the online environment (e.g., cyberstalking). Conclusion: Overall, our findings highlight the need for greater research endeavors on the research topic. Although technology-based interventions have great potential in resolving domestic violence victims’ mental health issues, risks associated with these health solutions should be comprehensively acknowledged and addressed.

Technology-based interventions for health challenges older women face amid COVID-19: a systematic review protocol

“…Technology, regardless of how advanced it might be, is not immune to shortcomings [ 48 , 59 – 62 ]. It is important to not only understand technology-based interventions’ power and promise in safeguarding older women’s health and wellbeing amid crises like COVID-19, but also the responsibility and accountability these critical solutions shoulder—or fail to shoulder—to ensure health services that aim to help do not incur harm [ 63 ].…”

“…Technology has the potential to transform healthcare for the better [48][49][50][51][52][53][54]. To help society better safeguard vulnerable populations' health and quality of life, this research sets out to investigate the characteristics and effectiveness of technology-based interventions that can be used to address health challenges older women face amid COVID-19.…”

“…By identifying the characteristics and effectiveness of technology-based interventions available amid the pandemic, the findings of this investigation have the potential to offer timely solutions to alleviate the threats that undermine older women's health and quality of life. Based on effective technology-based solutions Technology, regardless of how advanced it might be, is not immune to shortcomings [48,[59][60][61][62]. It is important to not only understand technology-based interventions' power and promise in safeguarding older women's health and wellbeing amid crises like COVID-19, but also the responsibility and accountability these critical solutions shoulder-or fail to shoulder-to ensure health services that aim to help do not incur harm [63].…”

“Be my Voice” to break social stigma against domestic violence: The underestimated role of smartphone applications in protecting victims in developing countries

“…The rapid advances in digital technologies and the worldwide dominance of smartphones and applications have created a great opportunity for delivering mental health services and interventions on a global scale ( 20 ). In recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of technology-based interventions, including smartphones and applications, has become more prominent ( 21 ). Today more than 2.6 million apps for Android operating smartphones and more than 2.2 million apps for iOS devices are available ( 22 ).…”

Intervensi Kesehatan Mental Berbasis Teknologi Internet

“…Penelitian yang dilakukan untuk mengatasi masalah kesehatan mental yang dialami oleh korban kekerasan dalam rumah tangga di tengah COVID-19, ditemukan bahwa secara keseluruhan, intervensi berbasis teknologi dapat memberikan manfaat yang lebih luas kepada pengguna seperti aksesibilitas yang lebih mudah (tidak memerlukan transportasi fisik; dapat diakses melalui smartphone, komputer, dll. ), terjangkau (biaya lebih rendah), dan anonimitas dibandingkan dengan intervensi non-teknologi (Zhaohui Su, et al, 2022). Intervensi eHealth dapat mengurangi gejala kesehatan mental seperti kecemasan, depresi, dan stress segera setelah digunakan (Stratton, et al, 2022).…”