Regaining One’s Own Voice: Understanding Hispanic Women Voicing Process After Intimate Partner Violence
摘要
The focus of this study is to understand the voicing trajectory of Hispanic women after experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).
MethodsThis study used grounded theory approach and it was conducted in South Florida. A sample of 25 self-identifying cisgender heterosexual-Hispanic women, aged 18–65, residing in Miami Dade or Broward County, with experience of IPV from a male partner in the last decade, and who spoke and read Spanish or English were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method and Charmaz's levels of analysis.
ResultsA grounded theory entitled “The Theory of Regaining One’s Own Voice After IPV” emerged from the data. The theory involves women reconnecting with their inner voice and using it to recover control of their lives and decision-making capacity. The theory comprises four categories: 1) Awakening as the turning point; 2) Disclosing violence and feeling supported; 3) Empowering through self-advocacy; and 4) Closing a chapter and regaining the voice to a life without violence.
ConclusionsThe findings of this study are novel in describing Hispanic women’s voicing trajectory after IPV. This study lays the groundwork to understand the different needs of Hispanic women when trying to recover from IPV and develop culturally and trauma-informed interventions that promote effective help-seeking and well-being for Hispanic women survivors of IPV.