title: How employment helps female victims of intimate partner violence: a qualitative study.
abstract: This exploratory, qualitative study documents ways in which being employed is helpful to victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 21 women employed by a large health care organization in a major U.S. city. Through content analysis, the authors identified six ways in which employment was helpful to participants: by (1) improving their finances, (2) promoting physical safety, (3) increasing self-esteem, (4) improving social connectedness, (5) providing mental respite, and (6) providing motivation or a "purpose in life." Findings suggest that employment can play a critically important, positive role in the lives of IPV victims. The importance of flexible leave-time policies and employer assistance to IPV victims is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA. emfaith@aol.com
authors.forename: Emily F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hathaway
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stidsen
authors.forename: Heather F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: de Vries
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D014481:United States