The Sense of Relationship in Women Who Have Encountered Abuse

Abstract

BACKGROUND. This study was built on previous work (Farrell, 1992) that explored the sense of healing in women who encountered abuse. Relationship, one of the main themes of the study, was defined as the integration of all aspects of the self and a sense of connectedness between self and others. A sense of relationship was a central aspect in the healing of women who participated in the study. The relational model used as part of the conceptual framework for the study describes bow a woman's sense of self develops because of the relationships that occur within her life.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to explore the sense of relationship in women who encountered abuse.

STUDY DESIGN: A phenomenologic approach was used. This method involves description, reduction, essences, and intentionality. Seventeen women who responded to notices in local newspapers agreed to complete the study. The data collection methods used in the study included in-depth interviewsfield notes, and demographic data sheets.

RESULTS: The results of the study provided an understanding of the relational sense of self in women who encounter abuse. Four major themes evolvedfrom the study: lack of relational authenticity. immobility, emptiness, and disconnection.

CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the study, more appropriate interventions directed to ward relational development can be actualized for women who encounter abuse.