title: Sense of self: voices of separation and connection in women who have experienced abuse.
abstract: The findings of qualitative studies with women who have experienced abuse by an intimate partner suggest that a woman's sense of self is a central feature in her decision to leave the abusive relationship. This qualitative study was undertaken, in part, to listen to how women describe themselves, specifically explicating voices of relational connection and disconnection within the narratives. This paper presents the findings of interviews with 18 rural women from culturally diverse backgrounds who had been or were currently in abusive relationships. The women were asked to respond to the question "How would you describe yourself to yourself?" The responses were read using the interpretive method of reading narratives for self and moral voice. The theory of moral development was used to frame the inquiry. The experiences of self that emerged from the narratives are presented as progressively relational voices of separation and connection. The relationship between these voices and moral development is discussed, as are implications for nursing practice and for future research.
authors: Northern Illinois University School of Nursing, DeKalb, Illinois, USA.
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Belknap
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*