Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The PsychoSocial Quicksand Model™: An Investigation Into the Efficacy of the Model for Survivors of Coercive Control and Professionals and Implications for Education and Practice - Kate Amber, Rod Dubrow-Marshall
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Disclaimer: This session was delivered for the 2023 ICSA Conference. The speaker of this session does not speak on behalf of ICSA as an organization.
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Abstract: The PsychoSocial Quicksand Model™ is an educational resource and toolkit designed to help survivors, families, and the public better understand the nature of coercive control in abusive relationships and groups. The research reported in this presentation is a mixed-methods investigation into the validity and effectiveness of the PSQM™ involving interviews and the completion of questionnaires. Participants (N=59) were recruited online and are a mixture of survivors of intimate partner violence, cults (both forms of coercion), and professionals in the field. Each participant watched a series of seven videos about the model and completed a series of evaluative questions about how helpful the model was to them. They also completed a series of questionnaires about their own experiences of coercive control and mental health. A subset of the participants (n=13) also volunteered to be interviewed about their experience of learning about the model. Analysis of the qualitative data indicated that the model was well received, with a broad theme reflecting core aspects of the model and a theme reflecting survivors' stories, indicating a good degree of resonance between the model and prior experiences. Quantitative analysis indicated that, with some of the model videos and questions, the survivors (some of whom were also professionals) showed greater appreciation than participants who were professionals with no survivor experiences. This is further evidence that the model reflects survivor experience and is potentially helpful to survivor recovery. Additional analysis indicates the extent to which reported levels of coercion and mental health vary according to participant group and following, as well as prior to, the watching of the model videos. There are some key implications for the further development of the PSQM™ and for education, practice, and professionals in the field that need to be disseminated more widely.
The PsychoSocial Quicksand Model™: An Investigation Into the Efficacy of the Model for Survivors of Coercive Control and Professionals and Implications for Education and Practice - Kate Amber, Rod Dubrow-Marshall
-
Disclaimer: This session was delivered for the 2023 ICSA Conference. The speaker of this session does not speak on behalf of ICSA as an organization.
-
Abstract: The PsychoSocial Quicksand Model™ is an educational resource and toolkit designed to help survivors, families, and the public better understand the nature of coercive control in abusive relationships and groups. The research reported in this presentation is a mixed-methods investigation into the validity and effectiveness of the PSQM™ involving interviews and the completion of questionnaires. Participants (N=59) were recruited online and are a mixture of survivors of intimate partner violence, cults (both forms of coercion), and professionals in the field. Each participant watched a series of seven videos about the model and completed a series of evaluative questions about how helpful the model was to them. They also completed a series of questionnaires about their own experiences of coercive control and mental health. A subset of the participants (n=13) also volunteered to be interviewed about their experience of learning about the model. Analysis of the qualitative data indicated that the model was well received, with a broad theme reflecting core aspects of the model and a theme reflecting survivors' stories, indicating a good degree of resonance between the model and prior experiences. Quantitative analysis indicated that, with some of the model videos and questions, the survivors (some of whom were also professionals) showed greater appreciation than participants who were professionals with no survivor experiences. This is further evidence that the model reflects survivor experience and is potentially helpful to survivor recovery. Additional analysis indicates the extent to which reported levels of coercion and mental health vary according to participant group and following, as well as prior to, the watching of the model videos. There are some key implications for the further development of the PSQM™ and for education, practice, and professionals in the field that need to be disseminated more widely.
