Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems Home

[PCH Research Projects]

Domestic Violence Prevention for African American Women

PI: Sheryl Tyson

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Project Period: 9/1/2004 - 8/31/2007
Current Faculty
- Sheryl Tyson - Principal Investigator
- Marjorie Muecke - Co-Investigator

The applicant's long term goal is to develop a community based, culturally appropriate, intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention program for young African-American (AA) women. To achieve this goal, a focused research career development program plan is proposed: 1) to gain advanced knowledge regarding qualitative research design, methods and analyses such as thematic analysis, 2) to gain advanced knowledge of young adult AA women's IPV risk and protective factors by conducting and analyzing data from focus groups, and 3) to gain theoretical and practical knowledge about research in the local AA community by conducting a community based IPV needs assessment, focus groups, and ultimately a culturally specific IPV prevention program. The purpose of the proposed accompanying study is to address gaps in prevention science by developing an IPV prevention program that uses a culturally specific approach to apply key elements of IPV prevention to an evidence based prevention component (peer group support, skills training, monitoring, group social bonding) of the IPV prevention curriculum among young adult AA women is proposed. There is an urgent need for prevention science develop programs to decrease the vulnerability of young AA women since they comprise the largest group of IPV victims in the United States. Yet there is a paucity of evidence based on IPV prevention programs that have been developed to reflect the ethno cultural variance of young adult AA women. Importantly, the study provides the opportunity for Dr. Tyson to advance her already strong methodological and analytical skills by developing her own independent research project. The proposed study is a direct response to the National Institute of Nursing Research call to conduct research that will improve the delivery of services to at risk populations.