Citation

Roberto KA, McCann BR. J. Interpers. Violence 2018; ePub(ePub): 886260518755490.

Affiliation

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260518755490

PMID

29448906

Abstract

Intimate partner violence in later life includes physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Although some researchers have investigated how women in long-term violent partnerships cope with abuse, little is known about the history, experiences, and needs of older women who leave abusive relationships. From a feminist, life course perspective, we interviewed 10 women who had left their abusive partners later in life. We used qualitative methods to analyze the data and found four major themes: (a) the women used the past to account for abuse in their relationships later in life, (b) recognizing abuse signaled to the women to fight back and exit the relationship, (c) financial abuse and exploitation affected women's mental and physical health, and (d) rebuilding was especially challenging as the women faced their future alone with financial, physical, or mental health problems. We conclude that abuse presents lasting and unique challenges for older women.

Language: en

Keywords

battered women; domestic violence; domestic violence and cultural contexts; elder abuse