Skip to main content
Top

28-09-2024 | Opioids | Original Article

“They Are Notoriously Not Very Honest”: Provider-Based Stigma and the Challenge of Integrated Care for Women Experiencing IPV and OUD

Authors: Katherine McLean, Richard Wentling, Bobur Rakhmatullaev, Elizabeth Schachte, Penelope Morrison

Published in: Journal of Family Violence

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

A growing literature has documented the frequent co-occurrence of opioid use disorder (OUD) and intimate partner violence (IPV) among women, with IPV victimization prevalence among women with OUD estimated between 44 and 90%. Prior research has identified significant barriers to care for women dealing with IPV or OUD in isolation – barriers that may be further amplified by co-morbidity.

Methods

Recruiting a diverse cross-section of professionals (n = 39) who serve women with co-occurring IPV/OUD, this project used semi-structured interviews to describe the unique impediments to engaging and retaining this population within relevant programming, including health care, housing, IPV, and substance use services.

Results

Stigma against both women experiencing IPV and people who use opioids (PWUO) was cited as a major barrier by participants, who described the ways in which stigma deterred service-seeking, service enrollment, and long-term retention. At the same time, many providers expressed stigmatizing attitudes toward women with co-occurring IPV/OUD, characterizing them as blameworthy, dangerous, and incapable of, or unwilling to, change.

Conclusion

Provider-based stigma is prevalent, yet maybe be largely unacknowledged, among professionals who serve women with co-occurring IPV/OUD. Medical-legal partnerships that integrate care for this population, putting OUD and IPV providers in direct collaboration, may mitigate provider-based stigma.
Literature
go back to reference Brookoff, D., O’Brien, K. K., Cook, C. S., Thompson, T. D., Williams, C., Brookoff, D., O’Brien, K. K., Cook, C. S., Thompson, T. D., & Williams, C. (1997). Characteristics of participants in domestic violence. Assessment at the scene of domestic assault. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 277(17), 1369–1373. a9h.CrossRefPubMed Brookoff, D., O’Brien, K. K., Cook, C. S., Thompson, T. D., Williams, C., Brookoff, D., O’Brien, K. K., Cook, C. S., Thompson, T. D., & Williams, C. (1997). Characteristics of participants in domestic violence. Assessment at the scene of domestic assault. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 277(17), 1369–1373. a9h.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Fry, M. S., Shircliff, K., Benham, M., Duncan, T., Ladd, K., Gilbert, M. K., Rattermann, M. J., & Cyders, M. A. (2023). Medication assisted recovery: A Social Ecological Approach to understanding how Stigma Shapes Effective Use. Journal of Applied Social Science, 17(2), 220–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/19367244231159096CrossRef Fry, M. S., Shircliff, K., Benham, M., Duncan, T., Ladd, K., Gilbert, M. K., Rattermann, M. J., & Cyders, M. A. (2023). Medication assisted recovery: A Social Ecological Approach to understanding how Stigma Shapes Effective Use. Journal of Applied Social Science, 17(2), 220–240. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1177/​1936724423115909​6CrossRef
go back to reference Frye, V., El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., Rajah, V., & Christie, N. (2001). Intimate Partner sexual abuse among women on Methadone. Violence and Victims, 16(5), 553–564.PubMed Frye, V., El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., Rajah, V., & Christie, N. (2001). Intimate Partner sexual abuse among women on Methadone. Violence and Victims, 16(5), 553–564.PubMed
go back to reference Harrison, L., & Esqueda, C. (1999). Myths and stereotypes of actors involved in domestic violence: Implications for domestic violence culpability attributions. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 4(2), 129–138 Harrison, L., & Esqueda, C. (1999). Myths and stereotypes of actors involved in domestic violence: Implications for domestic violence culpability attributions. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 4(2), 129–138
go back to reference Hill, A. L., Keil, M. A., Chang, J. C., Krans, E. E., Kim, E., Nostrand, E. V., Miller, E., & Pallatino, C. (2022). Help-seeking among pregnant and Postpartum Women with lifetime experiences of opioid use disorder and intimate Partner violence. Violence against Women, 10778012221140134. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012221140134 Hill, A. L., Keil, M. A., Chang, J. C., Krans, E. E., Kim, E., Nostrand, E. V., Miller, E., & Pallatino, C. (2022). Help-seeking among pregnant and Postpartum Women with lifetime experiences of opioid use disorder and intimate Partner violence. Violence against Women, 10778012221140134. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1177/​1077801222114013​4
go back to reference Kruis, N. E., & Merlo, A. V. (2021). A preliminary Assessment of Stigma in Law enforcement officers’ responses to opioid overdoses. Journal of Drug Issues, 51(2), 301–322. a9h.CrossRef Kruis, N. E., & Merlo, A. V. (2021). A preliminary Assessment of Stigma in Law enforcement officers’ responses to opioid overdoses. Journal of Drug Issues, 51(2), 301–322. a9h.CrossRef
go back to reference Lonsway, K. A., & Archambault, S. J. (2019). Improving Responses to Sexual Assault Disclosures. Lonsway, K. A., & Archambault, S. J. (2019). Improving Responses to Sexual Assault Disclosures.
go back to reference McGuire, M. J., Sabo, D. B., & Klingenstein, J. (2022). Envisioning a better victim response: Survivor-centered advocacy, destigmatization, collaboration, and accountability. Sexual assault kits and reforming the response to rape. Routledge. McGuire, M. J., Sabo, D. B., & Klingenstein, J. (2022). Envisioning a better victim response: Survivor-centered advocacy, destigmatization, collaboration, and accountability. Sexual assault kits and reforming the response to rape. Routledge.
go back to reference Murphy, J., & Russell, B. (2020). Police officers’ views of Naloxone and Drug Treatment: Does Greater Overdose response lead to more negativity? Journal of Drug Issues, 50(4), 455–471. a9h.CrossRef Murphy, J., & Russell, B. (2020). Police officers’ views of Naloxone and Drug Treatment: Does Greater Overdose response lead to more negativity? Journal of Drug Issues, 50(4), 455–471. a9h.CrossRef
go back to reference Ryan, A., Kutob, R., Suther, E., Hansen, M., & Sandel, M. (2012). Pilot Study of Impact of Medical-Legal Partnership Services on patients’ perceived stress and wellbeing. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 23(4), 1536–1546.CrossRefPubMed Ryan, A., Kutob, R., Suther, E., Hansen, M., & Sandel, M. (2012). Pilot Study of Impact of Medical-Legal Partnership Services on patients’ perceived stress and wellbeing. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 23(4), 1536–1546.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Shin, P., Byrne, F. R., Jones, E., Teitelbaum, J. B., Repasch, L., & Rosenbaum, S. J. (n.d.). Medical-Legal Partnerships: Addressing the Unmet Legal Needs of Health Center Patients. Shin, P., Byrne, F. R., Jones, E., Teitelbaum, J. B., Repasch, L., & Rosenbaum, S. J. (n.d.). Medical-Legal Partnerships: Addressing the Unmet Legal Needs of Health Center Patients.
go back to reference Smith, P. H., Homish, G. G., Leonard, K. E., & Cornelius, J. R. (2012). Intimate partner violence and specific substance use disorders: Findings from the national epidemiologic survey on Alcohol and related conditions. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors: Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024855 Smith, P. H., Homish, G. G., Leonard, K. E., & Cornelius, J. R. (2012). Intimate partner violence and specific substance use disorders: Findings from the national epidemiologic survey on Alcohol and related conditions. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors: Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 26(2). https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​a0024855
go back to reference Stone, R., Campbell, J. K., Kinney, D., & Rothman, E. F. (2021). He would take my shoes and all the baby’s warm Winter Gear so we couldn’t leave: Barriers to Safety and Recovery experienced by a Sample of Vermont Women with Partner Violence and Opioid Use Disorder experiences. The Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12518CrossRefPubMed Stone, R., Campbell, J. K., Kinney, D., & Rothman, E. F. (2021). He would take my shoes and all the baby’s warm Winter Gear so we couldn’t leave: Barriers to Safety and Recovery experienced by a Sample of Vermont Women with Partner Violence and Opioid Use Disorder experiences. The Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 35–44. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jrh.​12518CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Warshaw, C., Lyon, E., Bland, P., Phillips, H., & Hooper, M. (2014). Mental Health and Substance Use Coercion surveys. Report from the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health]. Warshaw, C., Lyon, E., Bland, P., Phillips, H., & Hooper, M. (2014). Mental Health and Substance Use Coercion surveys. Report from the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health].
go back to reference Weintraub, D., Rodgers, M. A., Botcheva, L., Loeb, A., Knight, R., Ortega, K., Heymach, B., Sandel, M., & Huffman, L. (2010). Pilot Study of Medical-Legal Partnership to address Social and legal needs of patients. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 21(2), 157–168.CrossRefPubMed Weintraub, D., Rodgers, M. A., Botcheva, L., Loeb, A., Knight, R., Ortega, K., Heymach, B., Sandel, M., & Huffman, L. (2010). Pilot Study of Medical-Legal Partnership to address Social and legal needs of patients. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 21(2), 157–168.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Winograd, R. P., Stringfellow, E. J., Phillips, S. K., & Wood, C. A. (2020). Some law enforcement officers’ negative attitudes toward overdose victims are exacerbated following overdose education training. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 46(5), 577–588. a9h.CrossRef Winograd, R. P., Stringfellow, E. J., Phillips, S. K., & Wood, C. A. (2020). Some law enforcement officers’ negative attitudes toward overdose victims are exacerbated following overdose education training. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 46(5), 577–588. a9h.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
“They Are Notoriously Not Very Honest”: Provider-Based Stigma and the Challenge of Integrated Care for Women Experiencing IPV and OUD
Authors
Katherine McLean
Richard Wentling
Bobur Rakhmatullaev
Elizabeth Schachte
Penelope Morrison
Publication date
28-09-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Keywords
Opioids
Opioids
Published in
Journal of Family Violence
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00751-7