DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC16.54
Authors: Pei-Yu Lee
Abstract:
Objective:This study aims to better understand and describe the subjective experience and coping process of the abused women and their abused or neglected children facing domestic violence from the angle of victims. Methods: Purposive sampling and case selection require participants to be above ages of twenty whose domestic violence is confirmed and to be to communicate in Taiwanese or Chinese. This project used the backtracking method and implement in-depth interviews with victims of abused women and their adult children. Data of each one-on-one interview are analyzed by Colaizzi's seven-step method (1978) where four cases studied are divided into three main themes for woman participants, and four themes for children participants. Result:In woman part, first main theme is physical and mental suffering; second one is emotional distress and contradictions; next them is low self-esteem and self-comforting. In children part, first main theme is alienation of peer interaction; second one is learning gap leads to penalty; third main theme is drab home life; and the final theme is pessimistic thinking and self-esteem. The results of the study also found that victims or witnessed children of domestic violence prone to have post-traumatic stress disorder, and other phenomena such as depression and inferiority complex. Conclusion: Health care professionals can completely understand the demands of abused women and children via the results of this study, and should develop not only physical care but also emotional care by understanding their life experiences. Thus, this study also provides the empirical evidence for medical care and assistance to abused victims.
Keywords: Abuse; Domestic Violence; Subjective experiences
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