Understanding and supporting the mental wellbeing of survivors of coercive control.

Research question What factors, resources, and support systems contribute to the long-term mental wellbeing of survivors of coercive control? Background Coercive control is the most prevalent form of domestic abuse. Yet, there is a significant gap in research aimed at supporting survivors long-term mental wellbeing. Survivors experience a range of mental health issues, but interventions often fail to address their specific needs. Moreover, traditional mental health recovery models have been criticised for not addressing the profound impacts of abuse and maintaining a deficit-based approach that overlooks survivors strengths and resources. Aims and Objectives The research aims to understand and support the mental wellbeing of survivors of coercive control by developing a theoretical framework to inform future interventions and service delivery. It also explores existing support services to guide strategies to enhance service delivery. Specific objectives are to: (1) explore how survivors of coercive control understand and define mental wellbeing; (2) identify factors and resources that facilitate survivors movement toward mental health and contribute to wellbeing over time; (3) develop a theoretical framework for mental wellbeing following coercive control and identify appropriate points of intervention; (4) map the support services available to survivors of coercive control in England via NHS mental health trusts and identify gaps in service provision and strategies for improving support. Methods This mixed-methods research, co-produced with individuals with lived experience of violence and mental health challenges, adopts a trauma-sensitive, strengths-based approach. Work package 1 includes qualitative interviews (n=30) and participatory arts workshops with survivors of coercive control to explore definitions of wellbeing and identify supporting resources. Data will be analysed using grounded theory and collaborative concept mapping, respectively, and will inform the development of a salutogenic theoretical framework for mental wellbeing following coercive control. Work package 2 comprises a survey of NHS safeguarding domestic abuse leads in mental health trusts in England to assess existing service provision and a workshop with survivor and professional stakeholders to identify strategies for improving support. Delivery Timelines The project will be delivered over 18 months. Milestones include obtaining ethical approvals for work package 2 (month 3) and 1 (month 6); completion of the mapping survey (month 9), survivor interviews (month 11), and participatory arts workshops (month 13); and development and write-up of the theoretical framework (month 15). Dissemination and Impact The theoretical framework will inform future interventions and practice, enhancing support for survivors of coercive control. Findings will be disseminated through a toolkit, which translates the key findings for mental health service delivery, survivor-focused outputs, tailored policy briefing papers, conference presentations, and academic publications, and will be launched at an event during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign. Anticipated short-term impacts include increased practitioner knowledge and awareness and use of the framework and toolkit, leading to service improvements. Medium-term impacts include co-production of an intervention with plans to apply for further research funding. Long-term impacts follow evaluation and scaling, leading to sustained improvements in the mental wellbeing of survivors and a reduction in support gaps.