Evaluation of the effects of receiving trauma-informed practices on domestic violence shelter residents
Abstract
Domestic violence is a potentially traumatizing experience that has devastating psychological and physical consequences. In response, domestic violence shelter programs have focused increasing attention on helping adult and child survivors understand and heal from this trauma. What have come to be called trauma-informed practices include (a) reflecting an understanding of trauma and its many effects on health and behavior, (b) addressing both physical and psychological safety concerns, (c) using a culturally informed strengths-based approach, (d) helping to illuminate the nature and effects of abuse on survivors' everyday experience; and (e) providing opportunities for clients to regain control over their lives. Despite the proliferation of these practices, little is known about their effects on survivors. In response, the current study explored the extent to which trauma-informed practices, as experienced by shelter residents, related to changes in their levels of self-efficacy, safety-related empowerment, and depressive symptoms over the course of approximately 30 days in shelter. Fifty-seven shelter residents from 4 programs in Ohio completed surveys shortly after arriving in shelter and again before exit. Their perception of the degree to which they received trauma-informed services was associated with significant improvement in their self-efficacy and safety-related empowerment, but had no impact on depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms decreased over time, regardless of receipt of trauma-informed practice. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
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There is growing evidence that TIP are related to survivors' well-being.
“there is grow -ing evidence that TIP are related to survivors' well-being (Scheer & Poteat, 2021 ; Serrata et al., 2020 ; Sullivan et al., 2018 ).”
From Separate and Cumulative Impacts of Trauma-Informed Practices and a Housing Intervention on the Safety, Housing Stability and Mental Health of Domestic Violence Survivors Over Two Years (2025) · cites this paper as Sullivan et al., 2018
Findings from this study corroborate those of other studies linking TIP to survivors' subjective well-being.
“Findings from this study corroborate those of the other studies linking TIP to survivors' subjective well-being (Scheer & Poteat, 2021 ; Serrata et al., 2020 ; Sullivan et al., 2018 ).”
From Separate and Cumulative Impacts of Trauma-Informed Practices and a Housing Intervention on the Safety, Housing Stability and Mental Health of Domestic Violence Survivors Over Two Years (2025) · cites this paper as Sullivan et al., 2018
Trauma-informed practices (TIP) with intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors contribute to short-term improvements in their mental health.
“Trauma-informed practices (TIP) with intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors contributes to short-term improve -ments in their mental health.”
From Separate and Cumulative Impacts of Trauma-Informed Practices and a Housing Intervention on the Safety, Housing Stability and Mental Health of Domestic Violence Survivors Over Two Years (2025) · cites this paper as Sullivan et al., 2018
Sullivan et al. discussed the positive effect of trauma informed practice on mental health outcomes of IPV survivors in shelters, showing evidence of the importance of IPV interventions to include a comprehensive therapeutic or mental health component.
“Sullivan et al [50] discussed the positive effect of trauma informed practice on mental health outcomes of IPV survivors in Shelters, showing evidence of the importance of IPV interventions to include a comprehensive ‘therapeutic or mental health component’.”
From A systematic review of intimate partner violence interventions focused on improving social support and/ mental health outcomes of survivors (2020) · cites this paper as [50]
An intersectional trauma informed practice that addresses psychological and physical effects of IPV, is culturally appropriate and empowering, in addition to a social network oriented approach, might provide a way to ensure that IPV interventions are responsive to the needs of the IPV survivor.
“'An intersectional trauma informed practice’[50] [52] that addresses psychological and physical effects of IPV, is culturally appropriate and is empowering for the survivor, in addition to a ‘social network oriented approach’ might provide a way to ensure that IPV interventions are responsive to the needs of the IPV survivor[47].”
From A systematic review of intimate partner violence interventions focused on improving social support and/ mental health outcomes of survivors (2020) · cites this paper as [50]
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“We decided to include studies from the 1980’s because some of the pioneering publications on the use of advocacy and social support, for example, Sullivan et al’s work were published in the late 80’s and early 1990’s and we wanted our review to include some of these publications.”
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Sullivan, C. M., Goodman, L. A., Virden, T., Strom, J., & Ramirez, R.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- Boston College (US)
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
- Published
- 2018
- Volume
- 88
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 563-570
- ISSN
- 0002-9432 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-0025
- OpenAlex
- W2748551574
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 5.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Keywords
- trauma-informed practice, domestic violence, women's shelters, shelter residents, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, strengths-based approach, psychological safety, abuse survivors
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Depression, Female, Humans, Ohio, Power, Psychological, Surveys and Questionnaires, Wounds and Injuries, Domestic Violence, Survivors
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