title: Patterns and Predictors of Service Use Among Women Who Have Separated from an Abusive Partner.
abstract: Using baseline data from a survey of 309 Canadian women recently separated from an abusive partner, we investigated patterns of access to health, social, legal, and violence-specific services and whether abuse history and social and health variables predict service use. We compared rates of service use to population rates, and used logistic regression to identify determinants of use. Service use rates were substantially higher than population estimates in every category, particularly in general and mental health sectors. Although women were confident in their ability to access services, they reported substantial unmet need, difficulty accessing services, and multiple barriers. The strongest unique predictors of use varied across service type. Health variables (high disability chronic pain, symptoms of depression and PTSD), low income, and mothering were the most consistent predictors. Service providers and policy makers must account for social location, abuse history, and health status of Intimate Violence (IPV) survivors. Strategies to enhance access to primary health care services, and to create a system of more integrated, accessible services, are required.
authors.affiliation: H37 HSA, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario N6A 3C1 Canada.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ford-Gilboe
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada.
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Varcoe
authors.affiliation: H37 HSA, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario N6A 3C1 Canada.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB Canada.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wuest
authors.affiliation: H37 HSA, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario N6A 3C1 Canada.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hammerton
authors.affiliation: H37 HSA, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario N6A 3C1 Canada.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alhalal
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA.
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burnett
keywords: Access barriers; Chronic pain; Help-seeking; Intimate partner violence; Mental health; Social location; Unmet need