Meaning of Insight Participation Among Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the meaning that women with violent partners found in participating in a 20-week group cognitive therapy program called INSIGHT. Through a two-step interview process, ten women who had experienced intimate partner violence described what it meant to them to decide to participate in INSIGHT; what was meaningful about the program; and what influence the program had on their lives. Findings indicated an overarching theme that described a process of Rescuing Self. This study adds support for the utility of interventions, such as INSIGHT, that nurture self-emergence among women who have experienced intimate partner violence.

Exploring a Domestic Violence Intervention Curriculum for Immigrant Mexican Women in a Group Setting: A Pilot Study

“…Findings suggest that the use of different instructional methods and activities (e.g., teaching breathing exercises) enhanced IMW's experiences as they learned about different topics. These findings support the work of Allen andWozniak (2011) andZust (2006) who used holistic activities, such as reflective writing, spiritual exercises, storytelling, and meditation to help change thinking patterns in groups (e.g., Rites of Passage and INSIGHT). Immigrant Mexican women became more aware of self and what they wanted in relationships and began to feel better about themselves as they used the drawing activities and self-reflection writing exercises in and outside of classes.…”

“…A specific DVIM Curriculum was developed, based on previous focused investigations with IMW and designed to include DV intervention efforts within an empowerment framework for adult IMW (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover et al, 2008;Zust, 2006 women in this study discussed the importance of learning about safety planning, dynamics of DV, characteristics of healthy relationships and dating, accessing resources, and how they become empowered within their own culture. Culturally competent programs and curriculums are more likely to help IMW examine current relationships and dating patterns because they understand their relationship experiences within their own culture, which may lead to an increase in awareness, self-esteem, and future decision-making ability.…”

“…The majority of intervention efforts for women experiencing DV-related incidences with partners include empowering women through cognitivebehavioral changes to end a DV relationship (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover, Rainey, Berkman, & Marans, 2008;Zust, 2006), known as "crisis interventions" (i.e., education on navigating the criminal justice system), safety planning, short-term counseling at women's shelters, and support groups in community-based DV shelters or agencies (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover et al, 2008;Zust, 2006). Support groups conducted in community-based DV shelters or agencies use a specific educational curriculum to help women recover from a DV incident and increase self-esteem.…”

“…Using the Post-Traumatic Checklist as a pre-and posttest measure to assess the groups' effectiveness, findings indicated a reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms, and themes of recovery (i.e., establishing autonomy and developing inner peace) emerged. Zust (2006) used a phenomenological approach in a 20-week cognitive therapy program called INSIGHT (i.e., women learn positive thinking patterns that affect their perception of self). Findings indicated the women gained a deeper understanding of the self, and self-esteem increased, influencing their ability to develop goals free of violence.…”

Exploratory Evaluation ofSí, Yo Puedo: A Culturally Competent Empowerment Program for Immigrant Latina Women in Group Settings

“…The majority of intervention efforts for women experiencing DV-related incidences with partners include empowering women through cognitivebehavioral changes to end a DV relationship (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail, Busch, Kulkarni, & Rice, 2007;Stover, Rainey, Berkman, & Marans, Zust, 2006), known as "crisis interventions" (i.e., education on navigating the criminal justice system, safety planning, short-term counseling at women's shelters, and support groups in community-based DV shelters or agencies; Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover et al, 2008;Zust, 2006). Support groups conducted in community-based DV shelters or agencies use a specific educational curriculum to help women recover from a DV incident and increase self-esteem.…”