Understanding Turning Points in Intimate Partner Violence: Factors and Circumstances Leading Women Victims Toward Change

Abstract

Objective: When counseling women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), healthcare providers can benefit from understanding the factors contributing to a women's motivation to change her situation. We wished to examine the various factors and situations associated with turning points and change seeking in the IPV situation. Methods: We performed qualitative analysis on data from 7 focus groups and 20 individual interviews with women (61 participants) with past and=or current histories of IPV. Results: The turning points women identified fell into 5 major themes: (1) protecting others from the abuse=abuser; (2) increased severity=humiliation with abuse; (3) increased awareness of options=access to support and resources; (4) fatigue=recognition that the abuser was not going to change; and (5) partner betrayal=infidelity. Conclusions: Women experiencing IPV can identify specific factors and events constituting turning points or catalyst to change in their IPV situation. These turning points are dramatic shifts in beliefs and perceptions of themselves, their partners, and=or their situation that alter the women's willingness to tolerate the situation and motivate them to consider change. When counseling women experiencing IPV, health providers can incorporate understanding of turning points to motivate women to move forward in their process of changing their IPV situation.

Factors That Contribute or Impede the Physical Health Recovery of Women Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: A Longitudinal Study

“…This finding is in agreement with those in the literature showing that social support protects against the deleterious effects of IPV on women's health, increases the likelihood that women will take actions to eliminate IPV (Campbell et al, 1995;Chang et al, 2010;Coker et al, 2002;Escrib a-Ag€ uir et al, 2010;Mburia-Mwalili, ClementsNolle, Lee, Shadley, & Wei, 2010), and decreases the risk of partner revictimization (Bybee & Sullivan 2002;2005). Thus, these studies highlight the buffering effects that social support has on the impact of IPV on women's health and its beneficial effects regarding recovery from IPV over time.…”

Risk and Resilience of Immigrant Women in Intimate Partner Violence

“…This finding parallels the study outcomes of interpersonal violence research that stresses the significance of various psychological attributes (e.g., self-esteem, self-confidence, self-determination, sense of autonomy) in formulating good judgment and avoiding further abuse (e.g., Suvak, Taft, Goodman, & Dutton, 2013;Papadakaki et al, 2009). Good cognitive abilities not only increase survivors' understanding of their circumstance but can help them work through the complications they are facing (Chang et al, 2010).…”

The impact of a referral card-based intervention on intimate partner violence, psychosocial health, help-seeking and safety behaviour during pregnancy and postpartum: a randomized controlled trial

“…Similarly, Chang [97] has shown that screening for IPV during pregnancy can help raise awareness and women's interactions with health care providers may help change women's perceptions. Health psychology has demonstrated that an effective means to change health related behaviour is to ask people questions about that behaviour (e.g.…”