07/16/2024
By Ivy Ho

The College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, invites you to attend a Ph.D. Dissertation defense by Stephanie Cazeau Bandoo entitled “Healthcare Experiences Among Women of Color who Have Experienced Interpersonal Victimization.”

Degree: Doctoral
Date: Monday, July 29, 2024
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Via Zoom

Committee

  • Chair Ivy Ho, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Allyssa McCabe, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Jason Lawrence, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
Exposure to interpersonal violence, including physical and sexual assault, is associated with increased physical illnesses and healthcare utilization among women. However, little is known about how these experiences impact the physical health outcomes and healthcare service usage among women of color. This dissertation comprises three papers aimed at understanding the healthcare-seeking experiences of women of color with histories of victimization. In Paper 1, a scoping review identifies common reasons why women seek medical care, focusing on barriers and facilitators related to addressing physical health issues. Papers 2 and 3 present findings from a qualitative study involving individual interviews with women of color who have experienced interpersonal victimization, including physical and sexual assault. Paper 2 explores the facilitators of healthcare utilization among this population and emphasizes actionable recommendations proposed by the women themselves to enhance healthcare access and improve outcomes. Paper 3 investigates the barriers these women encounter when accessing healthcare, offering essential insights for developing targeted interventions to address disparities and promote equitable healthcare for this vulnerable population. This dissertation contributes uniquely to the existing literature by presenting qualitative narratives and firsthand accounts from women with victimization histories, shedding light on their experiences seeking medical care. These studies represent the first qualitative investigations into healthcare-seeking behaviors among women of color who have experienced interpersonal violence. By enhancing our understanding of the barriers and facilitators affecting healthcare utilization in this population, this research aims to 1) identify gaps in the literature through qualitative interviews that gather narratives from women of color with histories of victimization, 2) inform future research and interventions tailored to the needs of women of color who have experienced interpersonal violence, and 3) provide implications and recommendations for policy, practice, and future research, ultimately striving towards better health outcomes for this vulnerable population.