"We're keeping everything together with Band-Aids": a case study of care work and family violence during a US oil boom

• NCJ Number: 302644
• Author(s): E. M. Legerski; L. C. Hand
• Date Published: 2020
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2013-ZD-CX-0072
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Exploratory Research on the Impact of the Growing Oil Industry in North Dakota and Montana on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking

Annotation

Since the Bakken region of the United States recently experienced an oil boom, resulting in population growth and social change, including increased family violence, the current study drew on care work literature in asking,  how might rural resource development impact the care work associated with services for domestic violence survivors?

Abstract

Using thematic analysis techniques, the study examined data from in-depth interviews conducted with 50 care workers. It found that oil booms (1) create more demand for care work; (2) lead to a scarcity of care workers; and (3) impact care delivery and burnout among care workers. Findings indicate the importance of considering care as human infrastructure. (publisher abstract modified)