Women’s perception of endogenous factors influencing them to stay in abusive spousal relationships: A case of women rights awareness program in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2016-05
Authors
Limukii-Kaaria, Zipporah Kailu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The decision whether to stay or end abuse in an intimate relationship is a complex
one for victims. Most past studies have focused on socioeconomic factors
influencing women to stay in abusive spousal relationships and the interventions
addressing the factors. However, statistics indicate that a great number of women
continue to stay in their abusive relations jeopardizing their wellbeing and that of
their families. Few studies have been done to explore the internal psychological
(endogenous) factors and how women could be helped to free themselves from
such abusive marriages.Using the Cycle of Violence and Psychological
Entrapment theories, this study explored the women’s perception of endogenous
factors that influence their stay decisions. The study used a Phenomenological
research design. The target population was women who were in abusive spousal
relationships and those that had resolved their abusive situations (survivors). The
sample size was thirty (30) women; twenty were selected purposively from
Women Rights Awareness Program (WRAP); a shelter for abused women in
Nairobi County, and ten survivors of spousal abuse were selected through
snowball sampling from Embakasi Subcounty. Data were collected by use of an
in depth semi-structured interview schedule, focused group discussions,
participant observation and field notes and triangulated to provide a thick
description of the findings. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically by use of
interpretative phenomenological analysis and presented in verbatim. Quantitative
data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented by use of
proportions, frequency tables and percentages. The findings revealed that women
together with their children experienced multiple, severe and chronic physical,
psychological, economic and sexual violations which had led to adverse
psychological effects that rendered women helpless and contributed to their
entrapment in abusive marriages. The study revealed that beliefs such as; need for
identity, marriage is permanent, need for father figure,abuse is normal and
feelings such as hope that the abuser would change and love for the abuser
coupled with coping mechanisms characterized by denial, rationalization of
abuse,avoidance and keeping oneself busy influenced women’s stay decisions.
Based on the findings from the survivors, the study revealed that women could be
helped to reappraise the endogenous factors leading to new beliefs, thoughts and
feelings appropriate for resolving spousal abuse. This could be achieved through
conceptualizing resolutions to abusive relations from the Transtheoretical Model
of behaviour change and addressed through Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy.
The process of resolution of abuse needs to incorporate men for the stability of the
family unit and the children for holistic healing and functioning of the society.
The findings may provide empirical evidence useful in prioritizing interventions
for helping abused women deal with their perception of endogenous factors that
maintain abusive spousal relationships.
Description
A research thesis submitted to the school of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology of Kenyatta University. May 2016