The Importance of Context: A Pilot Case Study of A Woman Who Engaged in Intimate Partner Violence

• Other Authors: Spraggins, Jessica L. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Arts > Study and teaching
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1603

The purpose of this case study was to explore the contextual experience of a woman who engaged in intimate partner violence. Past and current literature on women's engagement in intimate relationships violence is largely influenced by three theoretical camps- feminist, social learning, and family systems- none of which adequately explain nor explore the nature of the issue (Perilla, Frndak, Lillard & East, 2003). This case study used a different, contextual-based approach to frame the research and data: the ecological nested model (ENM). The model situates violence within four layers of a person's experience: (a) the individual system- childhood experience, family of origin, role models; (b) the microsystem- family relationships, friendships, colleagues; (c) the exosystem- social networks, socioeconomic status, occupation; and (d) the macrosystem- societal norms, culture, ethnicity (Bronfenbrenner, 1977, 1986; Dasgupta, 2002; Larance, 2006). With the guidance of a supervised, student art therapist researcher, a female inmate who engaged in intimate partner violence participated in six art therapy sessions. During the sessions the participant explored and explained her experiences with violence, and the effect of contextual-based influences on her engagement in intimate partner violence. === A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Art Education in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science. === Summer Semester, 2008. === July 3, 2008. === Women, Violence, Art therapy, Case study === Includes bibliographical references. === David Gussak, Professor Directing Thesis; Marcia Rosal, Committee Member; Penny Orr, Committee Member.