<p> This phenomenological study investigated the experience of battered women, in an effort to understand how affect, social and environmental systems influence the lives of sheltered-battered women who have left the initial stage of domestic violence shelters and are living in the second stage of transitional housing. The research question that guided the study was, “<i>What is the lived experience of battered women who have lived in domestic violence shelters and who currently reside in transitional housing? </i>” Three theoretical frameworks for this study potentially addressed and explained the complexities of domestic violence and the lived experience of its survivors. These theories—ecological systems theory, feminist theory and social learning theory—were presented, as well as their connections to the research question that guided this study. Ten residents of second stage transitional housing were purposefully selected through criterion sampling. Each participant had to meet inclusion criteria of being 18 years or older, experienced two or more incidents of abuse by a partner with whom they had an intimate or marital relationship, were residents of a domestic violence shelter prior to entering the transitional housing program, and lived in the transitional housing program for at least 6 months. Six themes emerged from the data analysis. The themes that materialized were: fear, depression, survival, coping mechanisms and communal living. While living in transitional housing, the majority of participants experienced immense emotional turmoil, and the majority of the participants faced mental health challenges that caused them concern. Anxiety and depression was common in several of the participants. The results of this study supports that second stage transitional housing for battered women is providing a critical service that should be furthered expanded. After battered women enter second stage transitional housing, time and a series of steps are required for them to become self-sufficient. Implications for counseling professionals include gaining a more comprehensive understanding of what battered women in transitional housing need, while healing from domestic violence. This type of knowledge may contribute to interventions that help to strengthen women and reinforce their ability to be resourceful for long term stability.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3731881 |
| Date | 21 November 2015 |
| Creators | Mountain, Andree M. |
| Publisher | Capella University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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