Giving up: shelter experiences of battered women.
Within the last decade intrafamilial violence has been identified as a major health and social problem. Women in particular are at high risk for battering and often seek refuge in shelters. Empirical evidence is required regarding the experiences of battered women who use these shelters. Therefore, we collected qualitative data from interviews with seven battered women and by observation in ten group counseling sessions at a shelter in the Southeast. Using grounded theory methodology, the core concept that emerged was "giving up." Supporting concepts were helplessness and fear of the unknown. The participants found it easier to give up and return to the abusive relationship than to seek alternatives.
University of Alabama School of Nursing, Birmingham 35294-1210.
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Newman
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*