| Learning Objective #1: Describe how the experience of partner abuse for physically disabled women began, progressed, and terminated | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Compare and contrast Walker's Cycle of Violence Model with the proposed Model of Intimate Partner Violence constructed from the experience of abuse for physically disabled women |
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to (1) describe how the abuse experience of physically disabled women began, progressed, and ended; and (2) determine if the described episodes of abuse reflect Walker's Cycle of Violence Model or permit the construction of a different model of abuse for women with disabilities. Design: A qualitative design was used. Population, Sample, Setting: The population was physically disabled women over the age of 21 who wrote and read English. A convenience sample of 25 women was obtained. Research volunteers were recruited from a mental health clinic and a vocational rehabilitation center. The study was completed in 20 months. Methods: This qualitative study used a phenomenological methodology to describe the abuse the women experienced. The interview question was, "Will you please describe how your experience of partner abuse began, progressed, and ended?" Transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Findings: The experience of abuse in physically disabled women was described. The women addressed multiple incidences of abuse, focusing on how the episodes of abuse began, proceeded, and terminated. A model was constructed to depict the abuse experienced by the women. Conclusions: The experience of abuse is both terrifying and painful. The progression of abuse triggers, responses of both the women and men, the abuse episode, the aftereffects, and the slow return to usual routines were identified. A model, which is different from Walker's Cycle of Violence, was constructed to demonstrate the journey through the abuse for physically disabled women. Implications: A different model to conceptualize intimate partner abuse for disabled women is proposed. Further research to support, modify, or refute the model is necessary. Use of this framework to explain and teach health care providers and women about intimate partner violence as it is experienced by disabled women can guide realistic assessments and interventions.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003