The Role of Social Networks in Supporting Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health concern impacting millions of women each year. Despite the pervasive nature of IPV, survivors continue to face numerous barriers in disclosing abuse and accessing formal support services. Consequently, most survivors make their first disclosure of abuse to an informal supporter, such as a family member, friend, neighbour, or colleague. The assistance provided by informal supporters aids in promoting better mental health outcomes, reducing the level of risk, and providing a safe pathway to formal support services. Despite the crucial role that informal supporters play in safeguarding survivors, little research has been conducted on their experiences. This thesis aims to address this gap in the literature, through a series of studies focused on the role of informal supporters in IPV.
In Study 1, a systematic review was completed, identifying the current understanding of factors that increased or decreased the likelihood of an informal supporter helping a survivor of IPVm, as well as the self-care strategies employed by informal supporters during periods of help-giving. The systematic review also considered the theoretical underpinnings of help-giving specific to the context of IPV and developed an integrated theory of IPV help-giving – the Model of Informal Supporter Readiness (MISR). Study 2 was an opinion piece that considered the unintended consequences of mandated social restriction measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlighted both the increased risks experienced by survivors during the pandemic and the barriers informal supporters faced providing help-giving. e. Study 3 operationalised the MISR, developed in Study 1, through the development and validation of the Informal Supporter Readiness Inventory (ISRI). This study provided initial support for the ISRI as a measure of the core components of an informal supporter’s readiness to help an IPV survivor. Study 4 further validated the ISRI, for use within an Australian context. This validation supported its reliability and effectiveness in assessing the readiness and preparedness of informal supporters in IPV scenarios, supporting the ISRI’s robust psychometric properties and its potential as a valuable tool in enhancing IPV support strategies within a network-oriented framework. Study 5 explored the psychological and physical burden of help-giving, and considered the need for greater screening and wellbeing supports for informal supporters. It highlighted the role of mindful self-care and social support as protective factors in mitigating psychological distress. Finally, Study 6 presented a perspective paper that integrated the findings of the above five studies and proposed an extended model of social network-oriented support, which incorporated a structured assessment of informal supporter readiness and greater consideration of their wellbeing to promote longevity in their support role.
Overall, this thesis presents an exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of informal support in the context of IPV. Through various methodological approaches, it highlights the vital role of informal supporters, the complexities of their experiences, and the necessity of assessing and enhancing both readiness and wellbeing. The collective findings of this series of studies emphasises the importance of a focused understanding of informal support dynamics, the utility of effective support readiness tools, and the need for targeted interventions that prioritise the mental and physical health of these supporters. This body of work not only contributes valuable insights to the field of IPV research, but also provides empirical advocacy for a network-oriented approach to strengthen the support network for IPV survivors. 
Keywords: intimate partner violence, domestic violence, help-giving, informal support, social support, network-oriented approach.