Dr. Kwanele Shishane from the Division of Social Work at Brunel, in collaboration with Dr. Bruna Nascimento from the Division of Psychology, presented their research at the Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI) conference under the sub-theme: Intimate relationships, marriage, families and transitions. Their lecture was titled 'An investigation into the predictors of attitudes towards Intimate Partner Violence in Brazil and South Africa'.
The key theme of the Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI) International conference held on 1-3 September 2021 was 'Pandemic, poverty and inequality: Social work in the 21st century'. The conference brought together South African, Regional and International Social Work scholars, educators, researchers, students, policymakers, managers, and practitioners to deliberate on issues pertinent to social work practice and Social Work education.
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem of epidemic proportions that disproportionately affects women, particularly in developing countries such as Brazil and South Africa. Studies exploring factors contributing to the generation and maintenance of IPV against women in these countries have primarily focused on demographic and individual aspects and are conducted almost exclusively in urban areas. Based on the integrated ecological model and the African feminist philosophy, this study investigates the predictors of attitudes towards intimate partner violence against women in rural and urban areas of Brazil and South Africa. Including a sample of 2600 participants, this study will use cross-sectional and experimental designs, incorporating qualitative and quantitative methodologies, in two phases.
Phase 1 will use qualitative methods to explore the content and transmission of subjective norms relevant to gender roles and familial dynamics and the meaning-making narratives as explanations of IPV. Phase 2 will use a multilevel, correlational design to investigate the prevalence and correlates of attitudes towards IPV and the role of psychosocial and cultural factors in facilitating the victimization of women by their intimate partners. The findings of this study may be of interest to academics, practitioners, stakeholders, policymakers, and communities in general.
Conference link: https://asasweiconference.org.za/