title: Staying alive: a client with chronic mental illness in an environment of domestic violence.
abstract: This case study of a young, African American mother with chronic mental illness demonstrates the impact of domestic violence on a vulnerable population. The client was economically disadvantaged, socially isolated, stigmatized, and victimized by repeated abuse from her live-in male partner of 7 years. With this overlay of violence in the home, the client experienced a downward trajectory in health, self-esteem, economic status, personal freedom, social relationships, and legal standing. Using a public health model in the context of an urban nursing center, an advanced practice nurse provided case management and outreach services for the client.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Services, La Salle University Neighborhood Nursing Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Susan McMullen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003863:Depression / Q000451:nursing*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*