title: How Has Living with Intimate Partner Violence Affected the Work Situation? A Qualitative Study among Abused Women in Norway.
abstract: A qualitative study was conducted among 18 abused women from different parts of Norway to explore what paid work means for women exposed to partner violence and how living with an abusive partner affected their working life. Based on systematic text condensation analyses of their experiences as described in individual and focus group interviews, the study's findings reveal two major themes. The first is about recovery and survival, and the other about the spillover of problems caused by a violent partner into paid work. Work was important to the women, as it represented time off from violence, contact with others who cared for them, and maintenance of self-esteem and self-confidence. Having their own money provided security and strengthened the belief that they could manage on their own. The spillover of intimate partner violence problems appeared through feelings of fear, shame and guilt at work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Education and Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bergen University College, Møllendalsveien 6-8, Postboks 7030, 5020 Bergen, Norway ; National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Kjersti
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4952-211X
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alsaker
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Bente E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
authors.affiliation: Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Valborg
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baste
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Tone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morken
keywords: Abused women; Employment; Fear; Guilt; Intimate partner violence; Recovery; Shame; Survivors