| Summary: | The purpose of this study is to explore the ways in which women who have experienced domestic violence understand the relational world they live in and the effect this understanding has on their relationships with themselves and others. Despite numerous studies and a large number of private and public programs existing in various forms to address domestic violence, it continues to occur at epidemic rates. Women’s experiences of domestic violence have not been fully understood in all research, as the voice of the women themselves at times is excluded. Based on this rationale, the method used in this study is a qualitative, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study, with semistructured interviews conducted with six women who had experienced a domestic violent relationship. The interview transcripts were analyzed using IPA and the results were 5 main themes. These were predomestic violence relationship/sense of self and other, psychological awareness of the self in a domestic violent relationship, being in a domestic violent relationship: survival strategies, emotional impact of a domestic violent relationship, and emergence from a domestic violent relationship. Throughout the research, a consistent observation of the effects of current interventions was included. Findings were discussed and various aspects of current domestic violent research was supported, in addition to an indication of the need for more in depth work with the women who had experienced a domestic violent relationship themselves. The implications were that any interventions with women who have experienced domestic violence must be made first with a clear effort to understand the perspective of the woman who has endured the relational violence. Preconceptions by the professionals as to the correct procedures to follow may lead to further abuse and dominate an already vulnerable woman who is requesting aid. In addition, further research into the phenomenon of intimate partner violence needs to include the flexibility for numerous effects on the mental states of women involved and a varied way in which to address the variety of issues.
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