Impacts of Male Intimate Partner Violence on Women: A Life Course Perspective.

Nerilee Hing,Elaine Nuske,Annabel Taylor,Catherine O’Mullan,Helen Breen,Lydia Mainey

doi:10.3390/ijerph18168303

Abstract

The nature and extent of the impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) on victims are well documented, particularly male partner violence against women. However, less is known about how these impacts might change over time, including their legacy after women leave an abusive relationship and the lasting effects in their later lives. The purpose of this study was to examine women’s experiences of IPV at different stages over their life courses. Interviews with a cohort of 18 older women who had left an abusive relationship were analysed using thematic narrative analysis and the findings were presented according to trajectories, transitions, and turning points over their life courses. When in the relationship, the women experienced direct impacts on their physical, mental, social, and financial wellbeing. During separation, many experienced continued abuse and housing, legal, and financial stress. Life after separation was marked by loneliness, trauma, financial insecurity, and damaged relationships. Some women reached a turning point in their recovery through helping others. Understanding these impacts can inform interventions during each stage. Crisis support is critical when women are in an abusive relationship and during the dangerous phase of separation. Interventions can also assist women’s longer-term wellbeing and help them recover through post-traumatic growth.

Highlights

Men’s endorsement of traditional masculine ideology and gendered role expectations are consistently associated with male partner violence against women [49,50]
This study used a life course perspective to explore the impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) on a cohort of () older women during an abusive relationship, in transitioning out of the relationship, after separation, and for women who had reached a turning point
Social activism, and public narration of personal tragedy and transition are heavily implicated in post-traumatic healing [65,66]. These findings suggest that supporting IPV survivors to help others, raise public awareness of IPV, and advocate for change are valuable interventions to assist women’s post-traumatic growth and help to maintain their continued recovery [67]

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Intimate partner violence is a major contributor to the burden of disease in women and a widespread public health issue [1,2]. Women are more likely than men to be physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by a current or former partner and to experience more severe impacts [3]. Numerous studies have examined the impacts of IPV on women victims

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Conclusion