Wellness Program Development for Mothers in Domestic Violence Shelters

Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial and/or verbal abuse which is used to exert power and control over another individual. Per the NIH (2023), an estimated 10 million individuals are affected by family and domestic violence every year in the United States and approximately 1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence at some point during their life. Individuals who have experienced domestic violence experience disruptions in routines and deficient ability to effectively engage in important daily occupations. Research in this area is limited, specifically when assessing and improving overall wellness and quality in mothers affected by domestic violence. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project is to provide a six-week wellness curriculum for mothers to improve their perceived wellness and quality of life.