Experiences of postpartum survivors of Intimate Partner Violence with serious mental health illness

About the Project

Background to the project

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a continuum of abuse experienced between romantic partners, including homicide, physical and sexual assault as well as psychological abuse (e.g., threats, harassment, coercion and intimidation). It is prevalent in England and Wales, where 4.4% (estimated 2.1 million) of those aged 16 years and over have experienced IPV in 2023. Within London, some of the highest rates of IPV offenses were reported in East London, including Newham, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham. Pregnancy and the postpartum periods are a time of increased risk of experiencing IPV, especially for those with serious menta health illnesses (SMI) (i.e. depression, psychosis). This is particularly worrisome given that IPV is strongly associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. IPV not only negatively impacts women, but also extend to their unborn/newborn child. Understanding the experiences of survivors of IPV with SMI during pregnancy and the postpartum period is thus pivotal in ensuring adequate support and healthcare is provided. This will support the health and well-being of women and their children. This proposed PhD will explore pregnancy and postpartum experiences amongst survivors of IPV with SMI, including pathways to, and experiences of, mental health care and recovery. This PhD will also investigate the experiences of health care practitioners in identifying and supporting survivors of IPV attending perinatal mental health clinics. Together the findings from this work will provide important insights into whether experiences of IPV have a differential impact on the pathways and experiences of care and recovery amongst women attending perinatal mental health clinics.

 

What the studentship will encompass

Utilising mixed-methods approach this PhD aims to: 1) Systematically review and synthesise literature exploring mental health care and recovery of survivors of IPV with serious mental illness (SMI) during the pregnancy and postpartum period.2) Explore lived and professional experiences of pregnancy and postpartum care amongst survivors of IPV with SMI. 3) Explore whether IPV differentially impact pathways to and experiences of care and recovery amongst postpartum women with SMI. 4) Co-design recommendations and good practice with professionals and lived experience experts drawing on the findings from aims 1-3.

Details of supervision

This project will be supervised by Dr Sania Shakoor (sania.shakoor@qmul.ac.uk) and Dr Georgina Hosang (g.hosang@qmul.ac.uk) in the Unit of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Public Health. The student will also be co-supervised by Dr Nikolina Jovanovic.

Requirements:

Candidates are required to have a good Masters degree in a relevant subject such as psychology or in a social science. It is important that you establish whether you have covered at 75% of the key social science perspectives and methods (Research design in the social sciences, Data collection, management and dissemination, Social theory and epistemology, qualitative methods, and quantitative methods) – in Masters-level modules. Further details regarding these ESRC core research training areas are available online here.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 12:00 (GMT) 14^th February 2025. Late applications will not be considered. Interviews will be scheduled for w/c 3rd March 2025.

To be considered for this PhD, please apply via the QMUL application site. Applications will need to include:

1)     The application form (please email p.mullan@qmul.ac.uk to request this)

2)     CV (2pgs max);

3)     Personal statement (1pg max) – this statement should include: why you are interested in undertaking this project; what relevant existing skills, training, and knowledge you would bring to the project.

Shortlisted applicants will also be required to provide transcripts and two references.

All candidates also need to complete the LISS DTP Diversity Monitoring for CASE Candidates. These data are only provided to LISS DTP directly: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/kings/liss-dtp-diversity-monitoring-for-case-candidates-2025-entry