Preparedness and Practice Barriers Among Prenatal and Early Childhood Home Visitors Responding to Intimate Partner Violence in Korea

Purpose: This study examined the preparedness of nurses and social workers in prenatal and early childhood home visiting programs to respond to intimate partner violence (IPV) and explored the practice barriers they encountered.Methods: A survey was conducted to assess the preparedness to respond to IPV across four domains: knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Focus group interviews were conducted to examine the practice barriers in greater depth. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design.Results: The mean preparedness score for the knowledge domain was 53.41±14.89 out of 100. On a 4-point scale, the mean scores for the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors domains were 2.86±0.50, 2.86±0.60, and 3.56±0.40, respectively. Three categories of practice barriers were identified: uncertainty regarding IPV assessment and intervention, apprehension about clients’ IPV situations, and perceived limitations in providing effective support.Conclusion: Educational programs and practice guidelines for home-visiting professionals should strengthen basic IPV knowledge, promote a gender-based understanding of IPV, and reinforce respect for clients’ autonomy and choices. Support is also needed to help professionals manage negative emotions, set achievable goals, and apply clear and concrete practice guidelines, thereby improving their sense of efficacy in responding to IPV.