Exploring the Meaning and Role of Spirituality for Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Abuse

Abstract

N. Fowler can be reached at1 University Station, D3500 Austin, TX 78712-0358 512-232-6199 (o)512-232-2165(fax)Email: dfowler@mail.utexas.edu; Michele A. Rountree can be reached at1 University Station, D3500 Austin, TX 78712-0358 512-471-7160 (o) 512-232-2165 (fax)Literature on trauma, coping and spirituality has introduced new questions about protective factors in the healing process for intimate partner abuse survivors (IPA). This qualitative study explores the relationship between spirituality and IPA with three focus groups of twenty-two women IPA survivors residing in a shelter. A content analysis revealed central themes that explicate the meaning and role spirituality plays for participants. Viewed as a salient dimension, spirituality provides strength, influences outcomes and assists in the regulation of behavioral responses in a positive manner in terms of participants" traumatic IPA victimization. Practice implications are discussed.

The Influence of Spirituality on Service Utilization and Satisfaction for Women Residing in a Domestic Violence Shelter

“…The present study focuses broadly on spirituality, under which religiosity could be subsumed. Existing IPA studies define spirituality as a way of being, an awareness of the transcendent, beliefs, and practices around meaning and purpose in life, and interaction with a higher power (Fowler & Hill, 2004;Fowler & Rountree, 2009;Hassouneh-Phillips, 2003;Senter & Caldwell, 2002). In the current article, the term faith is often used interchangeably with spiritual, and describes spiritually based services, resources, and organizations.…”

“…In a sample (N = 22) of women IPA survivors residing in a domestic violence shelter, Fowler and Rountree (2009) also used qualitative methods to explore the role and meaning of spirituality, and to determine whether faith-based services, according to the study participants, should be offered. Overall, spirituality was viewed by the women survivors as a salient dimension in their lives that provides strength, influences outcomes, and assists in the regulation of positive behavioral responses.…”

“…There is little information available in the literature regarding how women IPA survivors' spirituality can influence their service preference, utilization, or satisfaction. While research and practice have grown to gain a general understanding of spirituality among women IPA survivors, there are still dimensions and implications of this phenomenon that are underresearched (Potter, 2007), and such information is needed to ultimately inform more comprehensive, relevant service delivery for this population (Ellison, Bartkowsky, & Anderson, 1999;Fowler & Rountree, 2009). The salience of spirituality among IPA survivors (Fowler & Rountree, 2009;Gillum, Sullivan, & Bybee, 2006) warrants continued investigations to determine how it affects their help-seeking and utilization patterns as well as levels of satisfaction across existing services.…”

“He stepped on my belly” An exploration of Intimate Partner Violence Experience and Coping Strategies among Pregnant Women in Southwestern-Uganda

“…Not different from a previous study (87) , in the current study women hoped that their intimate partners would change if they continued praying for them. It has been documented that religious coping can benefit the victims through reshaping their perceptions and institute new behaviors, and can support recovery by providing hope and preventing feelings of powerlessness (88) . Though too much devotion in prayer can at times be dangerous since some women may go to the extreme of spending much of the time in churches praying including overnights, others stop working and spend all the time praying which can worsen the relationship with their partners due to long periods of absence at home.…”

Spiritual Coping Tools of Religious Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse

“…Data from a study evaluating the role of spirituality as Metadata research suggests that spirituality seems to be a protective factor contributing to better coping with abuse in women who are victims of intimate partner abuse. (Fowler & Rountree, 2010) O'Grady and colleagues (2012) consider spiritual grandiosity and a special connection with God as key factors in Haitian coping after the devastating earth quake in that country in 2010. Schumtzer (2009) contends that trauma and sexual abuse-informed spiritual formation will aid the victim in healing.…”