Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing
CLINICAL ISSUESThe Dynamics of Leaving and Recovering from an Abusive Relationship☆
Section snippets
Leaving an Abusive Relationship
Most abused women eventually leave their abuser permanently or take action that decreases or ends the abuse (Bowker, 1983, Okun, 1986). The process of ending the abusive relationship and recovering from its effects involves repeated attempts at leaving and returning (Walker, 1984). An abused woman leaves and returns to her male partner many times before she leaves the relationship for the final time. A pattern of first seeking help from a variety of sources and then leaving the batterer and
Recovering From an Abusive Relationship
Recovering from an abusive relationship can be divided into two major phases. The initial phase of recovering begins when a woman first makes steps to leave the relationship. Although this cycle of leaving may continue for a short period of time or for many years, it is the initial step a woman takes to separate herself from her partner, to rebuild her self-esteem, and to take some control over her life. Restructuring of one’s life is the second phase of a woman’s recovering from abuse. The
Struggling for Survival
The need for food, shelter, and safety dominate a woman’s thoughts once she has left the relationship. A woman expends a great deal of energy replacing negative beliefs about herself that she has internalized from her partner. Regardless of her economic independence, a woman questions her ability to succeed. Even women who supported the family while in the relationship question their ability to survive alone. These feelings of inadequacy can be intensified by negative responses women receive
Grieving
A woman must grieve through the loss of the relationship, the loss of roles that fit into that relationship, the loss of friends, and possibly the loss of the father of her children. The grief a woman experiences often is not recognized by others because in leaving the relationship it is assumed that she is leaving only a situation of abuse and is leaving by choice. Although at this time there is little attachment that is meaningful and fulfilling, a woman is grieving the loss of what the
Summary
Recovering from an abusive relationship is essential for a woman to move on with her life and, if desired, to become involved in a healthy significant relationship. Often, once a woman has left an abusive relationship it is assumed that her major problems are over. The fear associated with abuse remains for years and may have a significant influence on her life. A woman has spent so much of her energy on maintaining control of the relationship to control the abuse that she needs to regain a
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2017, Business HorizonsCitation Excerpt :This psychosocial factor can lead a woman to place significant social value on her relationship with her partner and have feelings of worthlessness without that connection. This combination of self-worth and identity comprise the individual's self-esteem, which is enhanced when the individual defies her identity in terms that reflect the norms and values of society (Landenburger, 1998). Not only do societal values affect the self-worth and identity of the woman, but also can lead the woman to remain in the abusive relationship and even not report the abuse for fear of being stigmatized.
Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviors among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Study of Spouses of Men with Heavy Drinking in India
2024, Health and Social Care in the CommunityClinical Guidelines When Addressing Abuse over Telemental Health
2023, Contemporary Family TherapyRetrospective Study of the Epidemiological Profile of Facial Trauma Related to Violence
2022, Journal of Craniofacial SurgeryPsychosocial Separation and Women’s Disengagement From Prosecutions Against Abusive Intimate Partners in Spain
2022, Journal of Interpersonal Violence
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