American Women's Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence during the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk Factors and Mental Health Implications.

In an online survey, women self-reported high prevalence of intimate partner violence during the early days of the pandemic. Risk factors for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) included having a child under the age of 18, being a sexual minority, living in a rural community, and stressors related to healthcare access, income/employment stress, and COVID-19 exposure or illness. Women who worked during the pandemic and were older were less likely to experience IPV. Women who reported IPV also reported increased anxiety and depression. The results are discussed in terms of clinical and policy implications for supporting women who are victims of IPV.

Exploring American Parents' Lived Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ramifications for Well-Being.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents and families in the United States. METHODS: Parents' experiences during the pandemic were examined using an online survey (N = 564) collected during May and June 2020. RESULTS: Parents reported experiencing a high frequency of COVID-19-related events (e.g., job loss and health concerns) and impact on their lives. Parents' experiences with COVID-19, as well as self-reported perceived increase in home labor, experiences with assisting children with remote schooling, and work-life conflict were all significantly associated with higher levels of parental role overload. COVID-19-related events and impact, as well as parental role overload, significantly predicted parents' anxiety and depression, even after controlling for demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the importance of providing support for parents and families through direct services and public policy changes.

On the path to reclaiming Indigenous midwifery: Co-creating the Maternal Infant Support Worker pilot program.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the Maternal Infant Support Worker (MiSW) pilot program was to implement a virtual training program for lay maternal-infant health providers in remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. METHODS: The MiSW pilot program was administered jointly by a community college and a university and consisted of a 20-week virtual course followed by a 9-month mentored work placement in the community. RESULTS: The MiSW pilot program was delivered successfully; 11 of 13 participants received a certificate from a community college. MiSWs provided culturally and linguistically appropriate care to women, infants, and families in their respective communities. MiSWs provided doula support in their communities-a first for our region since the policy of forced evacuation for birth was implemented. MiSWs developed a community of practice for ongoing education, as well as to support each other in their work. CONCLUSION: The MiSW pilot program demonstrated that it is possible to provide a virtual training program and then provide continued virtual mentorship as the participants work in their First Nations communities. By prioritizing Indigenous voices above those of the research team, we were able to gain the trust of the MiSWs and maintain engagement with communities.