Do We Really Help? Perspectives of Abused Women

Abstract

Findings are presented from focus group data collected during a larger study describing factors that inhibit, support, and sustain women's abilities to leave and stay out of abusive relationships. A subset (n = 24) of the larger study sample (N = 40) participated in one of four focus groups. Participants had left or were currently in abusive intimate relationships. Women reported diverse experiences and were in various stages of abusive relationships. Ages ranged from 21 to 51; 67% were Caucasian, and 20% African American. Most women (71%) had at least a high school education and were employed (60%), but 83% reported annual incomes less than $20,000. NVIVO software facilitated content analysis of transcriptions. After initial synthesis of data, 20 women participated in one of two confirmatory focus groups. Four primary themes emerged from the content analysis: (1) Living an Unnatural Experience included maladaptive physical and emotional responses to chronic violence; (2) The Experience of Telling included multiple intrapersonal, interpersonal, and societal barriers to disclosure; (3) The Experience of Leaving included descriptions of acute and long-term experiences and difficulties; and (4) Reducing Barriers included participant ideas on ways to reduce barriers to assistance. Recommendations are made to improve community interventions and programs that will facilitate the choices and enhance the successes of women who have experienced domestic violence.

Resettlement and reintegration: Single mothers’ reflections after homelessness

“…Brodsky, 1999) and to understand the phenomenon of domestic violence from women's perspectives (e.g. Lutenbacher et al, 2003). Such methodologies have been noted to help validate women's experiences and hence promote empowerment (Davis, 2002).…”

Counselors' Attributions of Blame Toward Female Survivors of Battering

“…Many women hesitate to disclose their experiences with battering, and many counselors are unprepared to screen for abuse (McLeod et al, 2010), which can lead a counselor to attribute many of the women's symptoms to something other than violence (Goff, Shelton, Byrd, & Parcel, 2003). In addition, many women fear disclosing the abuse due to prior experiences with being blamed or having the abuse minimized, which may lead to feelings of re-victimization from a mental health professional (Carey, 1997;Lutenbacher, Cohen, & Mitzel, 2003).…”

Perceptions and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Among Hispanic College Students

“…Lutenbacher, Cohen, and Mitzel (2003) conducted a focus group study of White and African American women who were primarily high school graduates employed in low earning jobs. Four themes arose from the study.…”