Systematic review of healthcare interventions for reducing gender-based violence impact on the mental health of women with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: Women with disabilities are more exposed to violence. The health sector hasa key role in all three levels of prevention of violence against women. The objective ofthis paper was to review the interventions for preventing gender-based violence andreducing its impact on the mental health of women with any form of disability. Method: Relevant studies were identified through conducting searches in PubMed,Scopus, CINAHL, PsyInfo, Social Services Abstracts, and PILOTS. Two reviewers ana-lyzed and selected studies. A qualitative synthesis was made. Results: 3149 references were obtained, among which eight articles describing nineinterventions from the USA and the UK. Most were intended for women with mental/intellectual disability and assessed intimate partner or sexual violence. Only one studyshowed high methodological quality. They were found to be particularly effective asregards improvement of the skills acquired by participants, but the results as regardsimproved mental health are not consistent. Conclusion: Our review shows very little evidence of effective interventions. Furtherstudies are required with higher internal validity and female sample groups with di-verse disabilities.Clinical Relevance: Gender-based violence is a highly prevalent problem for womenwith disabilities, and in addition to being a public health challenge is a violation ofhuman rights. Health care systems and policymakers should take a key role in all threelevels of prevention of violence against women with disabilities. Interventions withlonger follow-up times are required. It is also important for interventions to be de-signed in consultation with people with disabilities.