Top

BMC Women's Health

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

A qualitative exploration of ‘thrivership’ among women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse: Development of a new model

Authors: Isobel Heywood, Dana Sammut, Caroline Bradbury-Jones

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a serious public health issue, threatening the health of individuals the world over. Whilst DVA can be experienced by both men and women, the majority is still experienced by women; around 30% of women worldwide who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced violence at the hands of their partner, and every week in England and Wales two women are killed by their current or ex-partner.

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of thrivership with women who have experienced DVA, to contribute to our understandings of what constitutes ‘thriving’ post-abuse, and how women affected can move from surviving to thriving.

Methods

Thirty-seven women took part in this qualitative study which consisted of six focus groups and four in-depth interviews undertaken in one region of the UK in 2018. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Initial findings were reported back to a group of participants to invite respondent validation and ensure co-production of data.

Results

The process of ‘thrivership’ – moving from surviving to thriving after DVA - is a fluid, non-linear journey of self-discovery featuring three ‘stages’ of victim, survivor, and thriver. Thriving after DVA is characterised by a positive outlook and looking to the future, improved health and well-being, a reclamation of the self, and a new social network. Crucial to ensuring ‘thrivership’ are three key components that we propose as the ‘Thrivership Model’, all of which are underpinned by education and awareness building at different levels: (1) Provision of Safety, (2) Sharing the Story, (3) Social Response.

Conclusions

The study findings provide a new view of thriving post-abuse by women who have lived through it. The proposed Thrivership Model has been developed to illustrate what is required from DVA-services and public health practitioners for the thrivership process to take place, so that more women may be supported towards ‘thriving’ after abuse.

United Nations. General assembly: declaration on the elimination of violence against women. 1993. http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/48/a48r104.htm. Accessed 2 Jan 2019

World Health Organization. Understanding and addressing violence against women. 2012. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/77433/WHO_RHR_12.35_eng.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed 4 July 2019.

World Health Organization. Violence against women. 2017. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/. Accessed 3 Jan 2019.

Bradbury-Jones C, Appleton JV, Clark M, Paavilaine EA. Profile of Gender-Based Violence Research in Europe: Findings from a Focused Mapping Review and Synthesis. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838017719234. Accessed 4 July 2019.

Council of Europe. Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Council of Europe Treaty Series No. 210 Istanbul, 11.V.201. 2011. https://rm.coe.int/168008482e. Accessed 25 Apr 2019.

European Union. Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. http://europa.eu/epic/news/2012/20121010_convention_on_preventing_and_combating_violence_against_ women_and_domestic_violence_en.htm. Accessed 25 Apr 2019.

Crown Prosecution Service. Domestic Abuse. https://www.cps.gov.uk/domestic-abuse. Accessed 25 Apr 2019.

National Health Service (NHS). Domestic violence and Abuse. 2017. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/. Accessed 25 Apr 2019.

Office for National Statistics. Domestic abuse in England and Wales: year ending March 2018. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabusefindingsfromthecrimesurveyforenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2018.

10.

Long J, Harper K, Harvey H. The femicide census: 2017 findings. In: Annual report on UK femicides 2017; 2017. https://1q7dqy2unor827bqjls0c4rn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Femicide-Census-of-2017.pdf. Accessed 2 Jan 2019.

11.

Office for National Statistics. Intimate personal violence and partner abuse. 2016. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/compendium/focusonviolentcrimeandsexualoffences/yearendingmarch2015/chapter4intimatepersonalviolenceandpartnerabuse#intimate-violence-in-the-last-year-by-personal-characteristics. Accessed 25 Apr 2019.

12.

García-Moreno C, Jansen HAFM, Ellsberg M, Heise L, Watts CH. Prevalence of intimate partner violence: findings from the WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence. Lancet. 2006;368:1260–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69523-8.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Campbell JC. Health consequences of intimate partner violence. Lancet. 2002;359(9314):1331–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08336-8.CrossRefPubMed

14.

Walby, S. The cost of domestic violence. 2004. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/21681/1/The%20Cost%20of%20Domestic%20Violence.pdf. Accessed 27 July 2019.

15.

Felitti V, Anda R, Nordenberg D, Williamson D, Spitz A, Edwards V, Koss MP, Marks JS. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00017-8.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Bradbury-Jones C, Taylor J, Kroll T, Duncan F. Domestic abuse awareness and recognition among primary healthcare professionals and abused women: a qualitative investigation. J Clin Nurs. 2014;23(21):3057–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12534.CrossRefPubMed

17.

Gondolf E, Fisher E. Battered women as survivors. New York: Lexington Books; 1988.

18.

Moe AM. Silenced voices and structured survival. Violence Against Women. 2007;13(7):676–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801207302041.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Merritt-Gray M, Wuest J. Counteracting abuse and breaking free: the process of leaving revealed through women's voices. Health Care Women Int. 1995;16(5):399–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399339509516194.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Allen K, Wozniak D. The language of healing: women’s voices in healing and recovering from domestic violence. Soc Work Ment Health. 2010;9(1):37–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2010.494540.CrossRef

21.

"thrive, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press, June 2019. Web. Accessed 04 July 2019.

22.

Poorman P. Perceptions of thriving by women who have experienced abuse or status-related oppression. Psychol Women Q. 2002;26(1):51–62. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-6402.00043.CrossRef

23.

Flach F. Resilience: discovering a new strength at times of stress. New York: Ballantine Books; 1989.

24.

Humphreys J. Resilience in sheltered battered women. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2003;24(2):137–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840305293.CrossRefPubMed

25.

Tedeschi RG, Calhoun LG. Posttraumatic growth: conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychol Inq. 2004;15:1):1–18. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01.CrossRef

26.

Paton D, Violanti J, Smith L. Promoting capabilities to manage posttraumatic stress: perspectives on resilience. Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher; 2003.

27.

Benson PL, Scales PC. The definition and preliminary measurement of thriving in adolescence. J Posit Psychol. 2009;4(1):85–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760802399240.CrossRef

28.

Hall JM, Roman MW, Thomas SP, Travis CB, Powell J, Tennison CR, Moyers K, Shoffner DH, Bolton KM, Broyles T, Martin T, McArthur PM. Thriving as becoming resolute in narratives of women surviving childhood maltreatment. Am J Orthop. 2009;79(3):375–86. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016531.CrossRef

29.

Ickovics J, Park C. Paradigm shift: why a focus on health is important. J Soc Issues. 1998;54(2):237–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1998.tb01216.x.CrossRef

30.

Taylor J. Moving from surviving to thriving: African American women recovering from intimate male partner abuse. Res Theory Nurs Pract. 2004;18(1):35–50.CrossRef

31.

Wozniak DF, Allen KN. Ritual and performance in domestic violence healing: from survivor to thriver through rites of passage. Cult Med Psychiatry. 2012;36(1):80–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-011-9236-9.CrossRefPubMed

32.

Wozniak DF, Allen KN. Surviving domestic violence: a guide to healing your soul and building your future. Avon: Adams Media; 2013.

33.

Austin Z, Sutton J. Qualitative research: getting started. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2014;67(6):436–40.PubMedPubMedCentral

34.

Braun V, Clarke V. Ten fundamentals of qualitative research. In: Braun V, Clarke V, authors. Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. Los Angeles: Sage; 2013. p. 19–38.

35.

Grant M, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Inf Libr J. 2009;26(2):91–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x.CrossRef

36.

Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77–101.CrossRef

37.

Flasch P, Murray C, Crowe A. Overcoming abuse: a phenomenological investigation of the journey to recovery from past intimate partner violence. J Interpers Violence. 2017;32(22):3373–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515599161.CrossRefPubMed

38.

Crawford E, Liebling-Kalifani H, Hill V. Women’s understanding of the effects of domestic abuse: the impact on their identity, sense of self and resilience. A grounded theory approach. J Int Women's Stud. 2009;11(2):63–82.

39.

Anderson K, Renner L, Danis F. Recovery: resilience and growth in the aftermath of domestic violence. Violence Against Women. 2012;18(11):1279–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801212470543.CrossRefPubMed

40.

Nowhere to turn: findings from the second year of the no woman turned away project. Women’s aid. 2018. https://1q7dqy2unor827bqjls0c4rn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NWTA-2018-FINAL.pdf. Accessed 18 Jan 2019.

41.

Dix L. Cuckoos and recovery: an exploration of responsibility within UK domestic abuse awareness group programmes. J Gend Based Violence. 2018;2(1):57–73. https://doi.org/10.1332/239868018X15155985385767.CrossRef

42.

Abrahams H, Williamson E. Evaluation of the Bristol Freedom Programme. Bristol: University of Bristol; 2010. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/sps/migrated/documents/rj4997finalreport.pdf. Accessed 8 Jan 2019.

43.

Nathanson A, Shorey R, Tirone V, Rhatigan D. The prevalence of mental health disorders in a community sample of female victims of intimate partner violence. Partner Abuse. 2012;3(1):59–75. https://doi.org/10.1891/1946-6560.3.1.59.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

44.

Transforming the Response to Domestic Abuse: Consultation Response and Draft Bill. HM Government – Home Office. 2019. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/772202/CCS1218158068-Web_Accessible.pdf. Accessed 5 Feb 2019.

45.

Evans MA, Feder GS. Help-seeking amongst women survivors of domestic violence: a qualitative study of pathways towards formal and informal support. Health Expect. 2015;19(1):62–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12330.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

46.

Ramsay J, Rutterford C, Gregory A, et al. Domestic violence: knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice of selected UK primary healthcare clinicians. Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62(602):e647–55. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp12X654623.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

47.

Bradbury-Jones C, Taylor J. Identification and referral to improve safety: local evaluation report for Birmingham South and Central CCG & Birmingham Cross City CCG. 2016. http://violencepreventionalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Birmingham-IRIS-Evaluation-report-2016.pdf. Accessed 5 Jan 2019.

48.

García-Moreno C. Dilemmas and opportunities for an appropriate health-service response to violence against women. Lancet. 2002;359(9316):1509–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08417-9.CrossRefPubMed

49.

Robbins R, Cook K. ‘Don’t even get us started on social workers’: domestic violence, social work and trust—an anecdote from research. Br J Soc Work. 2018;48(6):1664–81. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcx125.CrossRef

Title: A qualitative exploration of ‘thrivership’ among women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse: Development of a new model
Authors: Isobel Heywood
Dana Sammut
Caroline Bradbury-Jones
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0789-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

A qualitative exploration of ‘thrivership’ among women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse: Development of a new model

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

Preferred problem solving and decision-making role in fertility treatment among women following an unsuccessful in vitro fertilization cycle

Tubo-ovarian abscess with sepsis in a nonagenarian woman: a case report and literature review

How is patient-centred care conceptualized in women’s health: a scoping review

Choices and services related to contraception in the Gaza strip, Palestine: perceptions of service users and providers

What contraception do women use after experiencing complications from abortion? an analysis of cohort records of 18,688 postabortion care clients in Tanzania

Anemia and its determinant of in-school adolescent girls from rural Ethiopia: a school based cross-sectional study