Using Qualitative Research Evidence Based Practice

USING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH TO INFORM EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

Discussion: Using Qualitative Research to Inform Evidence-Based Practice

The issue of interest that I will focus on for this discussion happens to be domestic violence in marital relationships. My qualitative research question would dwell on: what are the physical and mental health impacts of domestic violence on women as survivors of domestic violence? A qualitative research design would be imperative on this front. This is more so the case in efforts to develop better understanding of this particular issue by gathering in-depth insight into the same. With such understanding, it would be easier to come up with strategies that address the said issue. According to Kaur and Garg (2008), domestic violence does not only affect women’s well-being, but it also has an impact on other parties (such as children). The healthcare system is also impacted by the issue in terms of resources deployed to address physical and mental health issues linked to domestic violence. Mental and physical on this front could be inclusive of, but they are not limited to; clinical depression, anxiety, PTSD, as well as permanent and temporal disability (Kaur and Garg, 2008). Therefore, the issue highlighted in this case is worth investigating.

In a qualitative study that was conducted in Bangladesh, it was observed that violence affects women’s emotional well-being and health. It was also observed that qualitative inquiry related to how women experience domestic violence and how it was linked to mental disorders was lacking (Islam, Jahan, and Hossain, 2018). Montgomery at al. (2015) also make a similar assertion in relation to the United States. It therefore follows that developing better understanding of this particular concern and its impact would come in handy in efforts to structure programs that are culturally sensitive and locally appropriate, and that would help reduce violence and, thus, the mental health disorders that arise from the said violence. To describe and understand the experience of women who had endured mental disorders and violence, Islam, Jahan, and Hossain (2018) adopted a phenomenological approach. Various questions were asked using a modified Bengali version to identify women who had faced violence. Then, mental health disorders were diagnosed clinically by a mental health professional from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Interviews were then conducted to describe and understand women’s experiences with mental health disorders. To obtain maximum saturation, three informal and sixteen in-depth interviews were then carried out. Further, a focus group discussion was conducted. The discussion and the interviews were recorded and the relevant data derived based on the understanding. From the study, it was observed that there was a connection between violence/physical abuse and mental health. Mental illness was in this case associated with trauma caused by physical or verbal abuse, negative attitude, neglect, and avoidance (Islam, Jahan, and Hossain, 2018).

Research on domestic violence is considered difficult owing to the challenges associated with collection of data relating to the said violence. This is more so the case given that on this front, there are a myriad of issues relating to informed consent, problems of disclosure, and confidentiality (Ellsberg and Heise, 2002). Further, there are safety concerns, i.e. in relation to the safety of women respondents. Key ethical considerations in this case are founded upon the ethical principles of justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for persons. For instance, in the qualitative study conducted in Bangladesh, the Bengali consent form was used to inform the respondents that they had the right to take leave from the study. It was specifically mentioned in the said form that withdrawing from the study was not going to have any effects of their treatment (Islam, Jahan, and Hossain, 2018). The participants were also assured of their privacy and confidentiality by being informed that they could withhold any information they were not willing to share. Confidentiality was maintained by replacing the respondents’ real name with a fictitious name. Assent of minor participants and that of their mothers was secured before the interview. Ethical clearance was also obtained from the relevant agencies.