Mental Healthcare: Experiences of Rural Women With Disabilities Following Interpersonal Violence

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Mental Health Services Research
• Rural Health

Background:

• Women with disabilities experience higher rates of interpersonal violence.
• Limited understanding exists regarding their access to mental health services post-victimization, particularly in rural settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of women with disabilities in rural areas accessing mental health services after interpersonal violence.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to service utilization.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews conducted with 33 women with diverse disabilities in rural communities.
• Thematic content analysis used to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: learning about service options, finding a suitable therapeutic fit, and overcoming access barriers.
• Participants highlighted the need for disability-specific provider training and greater inclusion of people with disabilities in the mental health workforce.
• Accessible telemental health advancements were identified as crucial.

Conclusions:

• Improving mental health service access for women with disabilities post-violence requires a multi-faceted approach.
• Recommendations include enhancing provider competency, diversifying the mental health workforce, and leveraging accessible technology.