RT Article
T1 Themes of Healing and Posttraumatic Growth in Women Survivors’ Narratives of Intimate Partner Violence
JF Journal of interpersonal violence
VO 36
IS 5/6
A1 D’Amore, Cassandra
A1 Martin, Stephanie L.
A1 Wood, Karenne 1960-2019
A1 Brooks, Carolyn
A2 Martin, Stephanie L.
A2 Wood, Karenne 1960-2019
A2 Brooks, Carolyn
LA English
YR 2021
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1750720736
AB Research on the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on women demonstrates the significant physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual consequences of this form of interpersonal trauma. It is well documented that experiencing IPV can have devastating consequences to women’s physical and mental health, overall well-being, and quality of life, as well as that of their children’s. However, a small, predominantly qualitative body of research exists on women’s experience of and capacity for healing from the effects of IPV, but more research is needed to advance theory and practice in this important area. This study applied secondary analysis to an existing data set to answer the question, “What are the themes of healing and posttraumatic growth in ten diverse women’s narratives of IPV?” Lengthy, detailed interview transcripts were rigorously subjected to inductive and deductive thematic analysis, which revealed three overarching themes, and six subthemes, of healing and posttraumatic growth in women’s narratives: Awareness and Insight (subthemes: Discerning the Self and Understanding Relationships), Renewal and Reconstruction (subthemes: [Re]building the Self and Redefining Relationships), and Transformation and Meaning (subthemes: New Perspectives and Finding Purpose Through Helping Others). Findings further revealed that women’s healing from the effects of IPV involves a multidimensional, personalized, nonlinear, and often transformative process that operates within themselves and through relationships. Practitioners working with women who have experienced IPV should consider survivors’ potential for healing and target appropriate intervention strategies. Additional qualitative and longitudinal research with diverse populations would deepen understanding of the dynamics, variables, and circumstances that impact healing and posttraumatic growth for women exposed to IPV.
K1 intervention/treatment
K1 mental health and violence
K1 cultural contexts
K1 Domestic Violence
DO 10.1177/0886260518767909