Women living with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse, substance use, and mental health problems.
Most researchers have studied physical and/or sexual abuse, substance use, and mental health problems separately or as a dual diagnosis, and from a theory-driven, empirical perspective. In this study, the authors examined these three phenomena together and from a phenomenological perspective. Thirty women each participated in an individual interview about living with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse, substance use, and mental health problems. Using a hermeneutic approach, a team of researchers analyzed the transcribed interview texts. They identified three themes: (a) being thrown: the cycle of abuse; (b) living life fearfully: a restricted world; and (c) helping: hearing my story. The results are significant, in that they challenge current assumptions underlying health care for women with histories of physical and/or sexual abuse, substance use, and mental health problems.
Nehls
Nadine
N
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Sallmann
Jolanda
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States