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Recovery from intimate partner violence: a difficult journey
1West Virginia University, Charleston, West Virginia 25304, USA. msmith@hsc.wvu.edu
Issues in Mental Health Nursing
|May 31, 2003
Summary
This study explores women's healing journeys after intimate partner violence (IPV). While many women achieve recovery and peace, some struggle to overcome past abuse, highlighting varied outcomes in healing from IPV.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue with profound psychological impacts.
- Understanding the recovery process from IPV is crucial for developing effective support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the lived experiences of women recovering from intimate partner violence (IPV).
- To explore the distinct phases of healing and growth following IPV from the survivor's perspective.
Main Methods:
- Existential-phenomenological investigation utilizing in-depth interviews with 15 women survivors of IPV.
- Hermeneutic analysis of transcribed interviews to identify thematic structures in the recovery journey.
Main Results:
- Identified three phases in women's recovery from IPV: the abusive past, the struggle for freedom, and healing/growth.
- Most participants successfully navigated these phases, achieving peace and healing.
- A subset of participants remained emotionally impacted, unable to fully disengage from past abuse and trauma.
Conclusions:
- Recovery from IPV is a complex, multi-phase journey.
- While healing is attainable for many survivors, non-recovery is also a significant outcome.
- Further research and support are needed for individuals struggling with long-term impacts of IPV.