Master of Arts (Applied Psychology)

Through the stories of ten women who had experienced spousal violence, this study investigates the process of ending violence from two perspectives: women’s perception of self, and perceived motivators that propel them to end violence and maintain violence-free life. Using the Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) as a research methodology in understanding the lived experience of women, the interview transcripts were analyzed, and emerging themes were developed in the process. As these women moved from violence-filled life to violence-free life, their views changed from seeing a diminished self committed to husband, self as responsible and self as vulnerable to a positive self, with an increase in self esteem and self efficacy. Motivators that helped women end violence include evaluation of impact of violence on self, reevaluation of effects of violence on children, changed attribution of their husband, new insights on alternatives to violence and helping relationship. These women maintain violence-free life by engaging in actions to free self and positive reinforcement strategies.

Knowledge on these findings points to the importance of using cognitive, affective and behavioural approaches in counselling and educating women experiencing violence. This study also provides support to a phase/stage model in understanding violence and a viable intervention based on Landenburger’s entrapment in and recovery from abuse theory (Landenburger, 1989) and Prochaska and DiClemente’s stages of change model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983). At the same time, external resources need to be examined. Practitioners are urged to work with women experiencing violence with respect for self-determination, in supporting women to end spousal violence with or without ending the marital relationship.