Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic affects help-seeking among American Indian and Black women facing intimate partner violence
Official title: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Help Seeking of American Indian and Black Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10851991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected American Indian and Black women who are dealing with intimate partner violence and how they seek help, aiming to understand their challenges and needs so we can improve support for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $533,026 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD016388-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10851991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Black women who have experienced intimate partner violence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as American Indian or Black, or who have not experienced intimate partner violence, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on help-seeking behaviors among American Indian and Black women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). It employs a community-based participatory research approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data through surveys and interviews. The study aims to identify the unique barriers and facilitators these women face in seeking help during the pandemic, providing a comprehensive understanding of their experiences. By engaging directly with the community, the research seeks to inform better support systems and interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support and resources for American Indian and Black women experiencing intimate partner violence during and after the pandemic.
How similar studies have gone: While there is anecdotal evidence regarding the impact of the pandemic on IPV, this research is among the first systematic studies to explore these experiences specifically for American Indian and Black women.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.