Seeking Male Victims of Domestic Abuse
An Online Study into the Psychological Effects of
Intimate Partner Violence
Invitation
You are being invited you to take part in a research
study. Before you decide you need to understand why the research is being done
and what it would involve for you. Please take time to read the following
information carefully, and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there
is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time
to consider whether or not you wish to take part. Thank you for reading this.
The Purpose of the Study
We are interested in the experiences of
BOTH men and women who have been through or who are
going through a violent relationship with an intimate partner. These experiences
can be described in a variety of ways including physical, psychological,
emotional or sexual abuse.
Research suggests that the impact of 'Intimate
Partner Violence' (IPV) (or Domestic Violence) is significant. In particular,
research has found a number of significant psychological symptoms associated
with experiencing violence from your partner, including low mood, loss of self
esteem, lack of confidence, anxiety, poor sleep and depression. Additionally,
the impact of being the ‘victim’ or ‘recipient’ of intimate partner violence
also affects other aspects of life, including housing, finances and children.
Historically, this area has focused primarily on the experiences of women as
‘victims’ or ‘recipient’ of intimate partner violence. There remains much to
learn in this area and we are keen to build on this and gather more information
to help inform support services.
There are particular gaps in our understanding of
the male experience of being a ‘victim’ or ‘recipient’ of intimate partner
violence. Statistics suggest that men are also at
high risk of being a ‘victim’ or ‘recipient’ of intimate partner violence.
This study aims to explore the experiences of both men and women who have been a ‘victim’ or ‘recipient’ of intimate partner violence. It is hoped that if there are differences in the way men and women experience such relationships it will be possible to identify where their needs differ.
Gaining a greater understanding of the similarities
and differences amongst male and female ‘victims’/ ‘recipients’ of intimate
partner violence will help us to better inform support services and health care
professionals.
Will my taking part in this study be kept
confidential?
All of the information that is collected during the
course of the research will be kept strictly confidential and stored in
accordance with British Psychological Society guidelines.
There will be a code on the questionnaires, so that
we know all the questionnaires are from the same person. We will not ask for any
identifying information from you so we are not able to identify you from any of
your answers.
What will happen to the results of the research?
The study is being carried out as a research dissertation for a Doctorate in Clinical psychology. It is hoped that the results of the study will be written up for publication in a journal specialising in issues related to intimate partner violence. The overall findings of the study will be posted on the website once the study has been completed. If you would like a copy of the overall findings sent to you in the post please email me.
This study has been reviewed and received ethical
approval from the Oxford Research Ethics Committee. It has also been approved by
the Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology.
Who do I contact if I have any questions
If you would like more information on any aspect of
the study, please do not hesitate to contact me by email (anna.randle@hmc.ox.ac.uk)
or telephone (01865 226364), leave a message and your telephone number and I
will return your call as soon as possible.
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Supervised by:
Mr Richard Beckett ,
& Dr
Cynthia Graham
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Clinical Psychologist and Researcher
Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology Isis Education Centre
Warneford Hospital
Headington
Oxford OX3 7JX