A Systematic Review of Systems Science Approaches to Understand and Address Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

Purpose
We aimed to synthesize insights from systems science approaches applied to domestic and gender-based violence.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review of systems science studies (systems thinking, group model-building, agent-based modeling [ABM], system dynamics [SD] modeling, social network analysis [SNA], and network analysis [NA]) applied to domestic or gender-based violence, including victimization, perpetration, prevention, and community responses. We used blinded review to identify papers meeting our inclusion criteria (i.e., peer-reviewed journal article or published book chapter that described a systems science approach to domestic or gender-based violence, broadly defined) and assessed the quality and transparency of each study.

Results
Our search yielded 1,841 studies, and 74 studies met our inclusion criteria (45 SNA, 12 NA, 8 ABM, and 3 SD). Although research aims varied across study types, the included studies highlighted social network influences on risks for domestic violence, clustering of risk factors and violence experiences, and potential targets for intervention. We assessed the quality of the included studies as moderate, though only a minority adhered to best practices in model development and dissemination, including stakeholder engagement and sharing of model code.

Conclusions
Systems science approaches for the study of domestic and gender-based violence have shed light on the complex processes that characterize domestic violence and its broader context. Future research in this area should include greater dialogue between different types of systems science approaches, consideration of peer and family influences in the same models, and expanded use of best practices, including continued engagement of community stakeholders.

Full text

Vol.:(0123456789)
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Journal of Family Violence (2023) 38:1225–1241
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-023-00578-8
REVIEW ARTICLE
A Systematic Review ofSystems Science Approaches toUnderstand
andAddress Domestic andGender‑Based Violence
MelissaTracy1 · LiShenChong2· KateStrully3· ElanaGordis2· MagdalenaCerdá4· BrandonD.L.Marshall5
Accepted: 16 May 2023 / Published online: 26 May 2023
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023
Abstract
Purpose We aimed to synthesize insights from systems science approaches applied to domestic and gender-based violence.
Methods We conducted a systematic review of systems science studies (systems thinking, group model-building, agent-based
modeling [ABM], system dynamics [SD] modeling, social network analysis [SNA], and network analysis [NA]) applied to
domestic or gender-based violence, including victimization, perpetration, prevention, and community responses. We used
blinded review to identify papers meeting our inclusion criteria (i.e., peer-reviewed journal article or published book chapter
that described a systems science approach to domestic or gender-based violence, broadly defined) and assessed the quality
and transparency of each study.
Results Our search yielded 1,841 studies, and 74 studies met our inclusion criteria (45 SNA, 12 NA, 8 ABM, and 3 SD).
Although research aims varied across study types, the included studies highlighted social network influences on risks for
domestic violence, clustering of risk factors and violence experiences, and potential targets for intervention. We assessed
the quality of the included studies as moderate, though only a minority adhered to best practices in model development and
dissemination, including stakeholder engagement and sharing of model code.
Conclusions Systems science approaches for the study of domestic and gender-based violence have shed light on the complex
processes that characterize domestic violence and its broader context. Future research in this area should include greater
dialogue between different types of systems science approaches, consideration of peer and family influences in the same
models, and expanded use of best practices, including continued engagement of community stakeholders.
Keyword Systems Science· Agent-Based Modeling· System Dynamics Modeling· Social Network Analysis· Network
Analysis· Domestic Violence· Intimate Partner Violence· Gender-Based Violence
Introduction
Domestic and gender-based violence, including physical or
psychological aggression by a current or former intimate part-
ner, sexual victimization, sex trafficking, and other forms of
violence based on socially-ascribed gender norms, affects mil-
lions of individuals worldwide, but has remained frustratingly
impervious to many prevention efforts (Cooper etal., 2013;
Jewkes, 2014; United Nations General Assembly, 1993). There
is a critical need for novel approaches that bring together prac-
titioners and researchers from diverse disciplines to address
the complex dynamics that govern domestic and gender-based
violence in different populations (Jewkes, 2014). Systems sci-
ence approaches, which aim to identify and explain system-
level behavior using a range of conceptual and computational
methods implemented by interdisciplinary teams (Mabry etal.,
2008), hold potential to shed light on the complex drivers and
* Melissa Tracy
mtracy@albany.edu
1 Department ofEpidemiology andBiostatistics, University
atAlbany School ofPublic Health, State University ofNew
York, 1 University Place, GEC 133, Rensselaer, NY12144,
USA
2 Department ofPsychology, University atAlbany, State
University ofNew York, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany,
NY12222, USA
3 Department ofSociology, University atAlbany, State
University ofNew York, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany,
NY12222, USA
4 Department ofPopulation Health, New York University
Grossman School ofMedicine, 180 Madison Ave, NewYork,
NY10016, USA
5 Department ofEpidemiology, Brown University School
ofPublic Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI02912,
USA
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