El torbellino de la violencia. Relatos biográficos de mujeres que sufren maltrato

ObjectivesTo analyse the experience from the point of view of women who have suffered domestic violence. To identify factors related to continuing or resolving the problem.DesignQualitative interpretative research from a phenomenological perspective.Population sampleWomen, detected in primary care, who have suffered domestic violence and have recognised the problem, and who accepted to participate in this research.Multicentre StudySix health centres in the city of Malaga.Methods and techniquesThe technique used is the biographical narration using individual open interviews between social workers and women. This narration was tape-recorded and verbatim transcribed to written text. Grounded theory. Qualitative analysis was made with ATLAS-TI 5.2.OutcomesA total of 35 narrations were analysed. The abuse situation was described as “whirl-wind” metaphor (blindness-isolation-helplessness-suffering-destiny-dependence-fantasies -about love, protection, happiness, change- and vicious circles). Enduring experience is reported to be related to several factors: inculcated gender values, family-ideal, uncertainty, annulment, personal failure sensation, love, support defects, self-image, children protection, multiple fears and material aspects. They identified two types of “exit”: passive and active with different mechanisms and repercussions. Exit experience is related to: limit situations, children intervention, family ideal attempts, and fear-loss. Leaving is a transitional process or “pathway”. Institutional support is not always guaranteed and emotional support is better evaluated than a legal one.ConclusionsEnduring and coming out are reported as two qualitatively different states, which involve many cultural and personal factors. There is a gap between these two states with a process that varies depending on the involvement of the women in decision-making.