The recovery of valued occupations after intimate partner violence: A scoping review analysis using the Person Environment Occupation Performance model and an occupational justice lens

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Intimate partner violence has enduring impacts that persist well beyond the cessation of abuse. Recovery and healing, though recognised as a priority in the Australian Government's national policy, has received less research attention compared with prevention, early intervention, and response. Survivors experience interruptions to their occupations during abuse and face occupational injustice. There is limited understanding of how these occupations recover and whether occupational justice is restored during the recovery phase. Methods This scoping review aimed to (1) identify occupational focus and gaps in literature during IPV recovery and healing; (2) analyse person and environmental barriers and enablers associated with survivors' occupational recovery; and (3) examine restoration of occupational justice during recovery. The review followed the PRISMA‐ScR Checklist for screening and data extraction. Comprehensive searches of databases and grey literature were conducted. The Person Environment Occupational Performance model guided keyword selection and data synthesis. There was no consumer or community involvement included. Results Twenty articles were reviewed, with findings primarily centred on paid employment, reflecting the research focus on this productive occupation. Parenting and ongoing education were also examined. Barriers to occupational recovery included physical health impacts, ongoing trauma, depression and anxiety, limited social supports, discrimination, ongoing coercive control, and restricted access to housing, transport, and childcare. These results were then interpreted through an occupational justice lens, including the persisting limit to choice and control in occupations for survivors, which results in continued occupational injustices. Conclusion The review highlighted some of the complex person and environment factors affecting occupational recovery for women after IPV, particularly regarding access to meaningful paid employment. The findings underscore the need for both individualised support and broader systemic changes to achieve occupational justice and promote meaningful recovery. Further research is recommended to explore barriers and enablers beyond employment within the Australian context.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2026 · DOI ↗