Knowledge check: Risk factors, protective factors, and situational triggers in Mercy’s story

In Mercy’s story, the following risk and protective factors for IPV are present at the individual, interpersonal, community, and society levels. Remember that risk and protective factors can vary by setting. The socio-ecological model here is specific to Mercy’s community.

Individual

• Risk factor: Clinton drinking a lot sometimes

• Risk factor: Clinton and Mercy both share the belief that men and woman should have different roles and that the man is head of the household

• Risk factor: Mercy witnessing her father beat her mother when she was a child

• Risk factor: Mercy and Clinton’s children witnessing Clinton beating Mercy

Interpersonal

• Protective factor: Shared household responsibilities

• Protective factor: Social support through friends

• Risk factor: Economic pressures on the household

• Risk factor: Mercy and Clinton not communicating openly

Community

• Risk factor: Norms that the man is the head of the household

• Risk factor: Norms that beating is a sign of love and a normal part of marriage

Society

• Protective factor: New law that makes it illegal for husbands to beat their wives

The following situational triggers are present in Mercy and Clinton’s relationship.

• Mercy and Clinton arguing about money was a situational trigger. The last time Mercy tried to ask Clinton about money, he got very angry and shouted at her.
• Clinton coming home drunk was a situational trigger. Mercy knows that when Clinton comes home drunk, he is more likely to be violent. Although alcohol is not an excuse for violent behaviour, frequent abuse of alcohol is a risk factor overall and when a man is very drunk, it can trigger a violent act in that specific moment.
• Mercy and Clinton not communicating openly was a situational trigger. Clinton and Mercy both seem to want to be able to talk about their problems, but they don’t know how to communicate openly and constructively. Poor communication is a risk factor overall and, in a specific moment, it can trigger violence.
• Clinton being stressed about money was a situational trigger. We learn that the household is under economic stress and there is not enough money to send their daughter to school. Clinton is more likely to be violent when he is stressed about money and feels he is not providing enough for the family.