Women's experience of emotional abuse in intimate relationships : a qualitative study
Lammers, Marianne
Women's experience of emotional abuse in intimate relationships : a qualitative study Lammers, Marianne; Ritchie, Jane; Robertson, Neville R. - Binghamton, NY Haworth Maltreatment & Trauma Press 2005 - Journal of Emotional Abuse .
Journal of Emotional Abuse 5(1) 2005 : 29-65
This article discusses a study that explored the dynamics of heterosexual relationships where emotional abuse was experienced by women. No physical abuse existed in the relationships. The qualitative study was conducted from a feminist perspective and seven women (aged 25 to 60 years) met eight times over a period of four months where memory-work (a methodological approach that allows women's experiences to become visible) was used to collect and analyse data. The results indicate that women's experience of being routinely subordinated by men has long-term and negative consequences for their emotional health. The women frequently held a perception that their partners expected to be in a position of authority and lay down the rules and standards in the relationship. Expecting special privileges and behaving in a self-righteous manner was also a perception the women held of such men. Results are discussed in terms of: the impact of abuse, emotional loneliness, despair, guilt, confusion, fear, diminished self-esteem, diminished identity, anger, and disentangling of abuse. Further discussion is provided on the process of how the women regained their power, either prior to or after terminating the relationship.
1092-6798
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
GENDER
GENDER DIFFERENCE
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
TRVF 000071
Women's experience of emotional abuse in intimate relationships : a qualitative study Lammers, Marianne; Ritchie, Jane; Robertson, Neville R. - Binghamton, NY Haworth Maltreatment & Trauma Press 2005 - Journal of Emotional Abuse .
Journal of Emotional Abuse 5(1) 2005 : 29-65
This article discusses a study that explored the dynamics of heterosexual relationships where emotional abuse was experienced by women. No physical abuse existed in the relationships. The qualitative study was conducted from a feminist perspective and seven women (aged 25 to 60 years) met eight times over a period of four months where memory-work (a methodological approach that allows women's experiences to become visible) was used to collect and analyse data. The results indicate that women's experience of being routinely subordinated by men has long-term and negative consequences for their emotional health. The women frequently held a perception that their partners expected to be in a position of authority and lay down the rules and standards in the relationship. Expecting special privileges and behaving in a self-righteous manner was also a perception the women held of such men. Results are discussed in terms of: the impact of abuse, emotional loneliness, despair, guilt, confusion, fear, diminished self-esteem, diminished identity, anger, and disentangling of abuse. Further discussion is provided on the process of how the women regained their power, either prior to or after terminating the relationship.
1092-6798
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
GENDER
GENDER DIFFERENCE
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
TRVF 000071