Citation

Muñoz Cobos F, Burgos Varo ML, Carrasco Rodríguez A, Martín Carretero ML, Río Ruiz J, Ortega Fraile I, Villalobos Bravo M. Aten. Primaria 2009; 41(9): 493-500.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Sociedad Espanola de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Publisher Elsevier España)

DOI

10.1016/j.aprim.2009.02.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objectives: To 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. Design: Qualitative interpretative research from a phenomenological perspective. Population sample: Women, detected in primary care, who have suffered domestic violence and have recognised the problem, and who accepted to participate in this research. Multicentre Study: Six health centres in the city of Malaga. Methods and techniques: The 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. Outcomes: A 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-toss. Leaving is a transitional process or "pathway". Institutional support is not always guaranteed and emotional support is better evaluated than a legal one. Conclusions: Enduring 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. (C) 2008 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.