Detection of Physical Abuse Barriers to Nurses' Detection of Physical Abuse in Adult Female Clients

<p>The barriers preventing Iowa registered nurses from detecting physical abuse in adult female clients were investigated. The nurses born 1940 or later were randomly selected from the state board of nursing to complete a mailed self-report questionnaire (non-experimental descriptive correlational/analytical inferential research design). Reliable tools to measure social awareness, potential aids and barriers, as well as actual assessment of abuse, were developed and tested. A model was tested and revised based on analysis results. Results indicated the top barriers were (1) lack of privacy, (2) not a priority of my job, (3) other factors more important, (4) client denies problem, (5) superficial client contact, (6) does not happen in population I see.<br> Analysis of variance showed significance for some barriers regarding financial status, age, education, and personal abuse experience of the RN. Mental perceptions of "an abused woman" yielded overwhelmingly non-empowering responses including concepts of fear, low self-esteem, anger, bruises, and sadness.<br> Characteristics as well as opinions about domestic violence were reported, revealing over one-fourth believed abuse was more likely to occur in a group different from their own - low socioeconomic and low educated groups ranked highest. Over 90% had assessed for abuse 10 or fewer times in the last 12 months and 9% had experienced abuse personally. Over 75% reported their original nursing education provided little or no education about this topic, but over two-thirds were interested in acquiring more education and skill in assessing for domestic abuse. Over 70% agreed more time should be spent in nursing education discussing the prevention of and interventions for domestic violence.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - University Access Only

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Nursing

Year

1993

Author dc:creator

• Horsley, Maureen R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Barbara Goddard

• identification of abused women
• nurse and patient
• family violence
• Nursing

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 1993 Maureen Horsley. All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/738

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1738