Intimate partner violence: Women and work within an ecological framework

Background and Purpose It is estimated that 21 million working women in the United States have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that support or interfere with employment for female victims of IPV. Barriers to employment were organized using a three level ecological framework that consisted of factors closely related to the individual (i.e. microlevel), those related to extended family and community (i.e. mezzolevel) and those influenced by society (i.e. macrolevel).;Methods Data on the subjective experiences of thirteen working victims of IPV was collected through in-depth interviews conducted between August 2010 and March 2011 resulting in 41 instances of co-occurring IPV and employment. The participants were recruited using fliers and snowball sampling. Data were recorded using audio tapes and life charts, and organized and analyzed using NVivo software designed for use with qualitative information.;Results The majority of the IPV victims in this sample were unable to maintain long-term employment. Primary barriers were the victim's readiness to confront IPV and the male partner's negative attitude toward the victim's working. Other barriers were parenting and experiencing severe abuse or work interference.;Conclusions and Implications These findings indicate that it is difficult for IPV victims of various socio-economic groups to remain employed. They point to the need for increased public awareness of IPV, workplace IPV policies, and affordable childcare for working mothers. Further research is needed on employment for IPV victims, with emphasis on employer awareness and male partner attitudes toward female employment.