Women Fleeing Violence, Housing and Homelessness Collaborative Research Carol E. Adair March 11, 2015 The Scientific Literature as a Resource for Action Research

Outline Initial rapid reviews of the literature as a resource for action research What is a rapid review? Purpose of the rapid reviews The general review o Description of the broader literature The focused review o Description of the focused literature o Some key findings Next steps

What is a Rapid Review? Aim is to quickly compile very recent and very relevant publications Time period usually short ~5 years One database (Medline) One reviewer selects materials Findings are briefly summarized (e.g. tables) Takes days instead of months

Purpose of the Reviews To identify: current evidence on existing practices innovations that could be tried here relevant measures and methods …. as a resource for collaborative action research

The General Review Combinations of terms related to: IPV/domestic violence Homelessness and housing Emergency shelter services Medline only 7 years

The General Review 157 abstracts – 108 selected Topics as follows: Risk factors N=22 Broader context (e.g. primary care/prevention) N=18 Providers views N = 8 Client views N = 7

The General Review Topics (con’t) Clinical interventions to benefit women N=19 Clinical interventions to benefit children N=12 Other interventions (e.g. housing/justice) N=10 Effectiveness of programs/models of care N = 7* Special clients (ethocultural, disabled, LGBT, rural) N=5 Aboriginal clients N=2 * incl. a systematic review just published by Jonker et al. in EJPH showing effectiveness of interventions provided by shelters in improving mental health and social outcomes and reducing abuse

The Specific Review Combinations of terms related to: IPV/domestic violence Homelessness and housing Emergency shelter services AND: Aboriginal peoples Medline only # 10 years # Kelly & St. Pierre-Hansen, 2008 in CFP

The Specific Review 18 abstracts – selected all: (12 USA, 5 Can, 1 itn’l) Topics: Risk factors Clinical conditions (e.g. diagnoses)

Some Gems from the Specific Review Multi-level social-ecological framework (incl. interventions at each level) Oetzel & Duran 2004 in AIANMHR Culturally responsive approaches (incl. specific programs or program adaptations) Justice-based approaches in the US Trauma-informed, assets-based and peer support approaches A systematic review of prevention (incl. primary, secondary and tertiary prevention) PLUS innovative methods BUT very little on housing interventions per se and very little outcomes research on the newer approaches

Some Key Messages from the Specific Review “Effective approaches require addressing cultural aspects” (Oetzel & Duran 2004) Most (but not all) clients will take up mainstream and traditional healing options Traditional healing approaches are effective for those experiencing IPV but very few evaluations Interventions must be specific to each community Community involvement in the design and implementation of programs is critical

Summary Points and Next Steps Academic literature is only one way of knowing Complementary to practice wisdom, traditional wisdom ‘Grey’ literature can identify innovations earlier Findings must be interpreted in our context Once specific projects emerge, further searches can be done It will be important to go to more specialized databases such as the Homeless Hub and the Native Health Database (UNM) Current and relevant info can quickly be brought in to support collaborative research

THANK YOU!