Understanding Forgiveness After Leaving an Abusive Relationship: The Voices of Chinese Female Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

Forgiveness is known to play an important role in recovery studies of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. However, survivors’ understanding of forgiveness remains unclear. This study explored forgiveness through semi-structured interviews with 25 Chinese women. The results indicate tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wu, Qinglu (Author)
Contributors: Wang, Ling ; Choi, Anna Wai-Man
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
In: Violence against women
Year: 2021, Volume: 27, Issue: 12/13, Pages: 2273-2293
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
establishing boundaries
Forgiveness
Recovery
female IPV survivors
Intimate Partner Violence
Description
Summary:Forgiveness is known to play an important role in recovery studies of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. However, survivors’ understanding of forgiveness remains unclear. This study explored forgiveness through semi-structured interviews with 25 Chinese women. The results indicate that forgiveness is an unintended process that comprises the alleviation of a grudge held against former partners and a reframed understanding of them. It does not involve reconciliation. Moreover, establishment of clear boundaries is a precondition for forgiveness. The findings supplement knowledge on forgiveness and the importance of cognitive reframing, emotion regulation, and establishing clear boundaries in forgiveness and recovery.
ISSN:1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/1077801220952164