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Navigating new relationships during recovery from intimate partner violence: A phenomenological investigation of female survivors' experiences

Much of the extant literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) centers on immediate needs and crisis interventions for victims and survivors, and limited emphasis is placed on the long-term recovery process. Researchers have identified post-IPV romantic relationships as a topic in need of further investigation, but to date, little to no research has focused on romantic relationships post-IPV. The present investigation provides a thorough literature review on the topic of recovery from IPV, introduces a phenomenological investigation of survivors' experiences of considering or navigating new relationships during recovery from intimate partner violence, and discusses findings and implications for counselors and counselor educators. Research questions and sub-questions included, (1) What are the lived experiences of female survivors of IPV who are considering or navigating new intimate relationships, and (1a) What are the helping and hindering experiences of considering or navigating new intimate relationships? A phenomenological research methodology was utilized to answer the research questions. Interviews with 10 participants were the primary data collection source. Data analysis procedures followed recommendations by Moustakas (1994) and Colaizzi (1978). Research findings suggest that survivors engage in internal and psychological experiences as well as social and interpersonal experiences as they consider or navigate new relationships post-IPV. Internal and psychological experiences consisted of the following themes: (a) Reclaiming self through dating experiences, (b) Learning to trust self, (c) Difficulty trusting new partners, and (d) Facing other fears of dating. Interpersonal and social experiences consisted of (a) Exploring dating with new partners, (b) Sexual exploration as part of navigating new partners (c) Negotiating boundaries and use of control with new partners, (d) Communication and support of new partner, (e) Modeling of healthy relationships by others, and (f) Caring for and protecting children.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd-5891
Date01 January 2016
CreatorsFlasch, Paulina
PublisherSTARS
Source SetsUniversity of Central Florida
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceElectronic Theses and Dissertations

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