Citation

Hall JM, Roman MW, Thomas SP, Travis CB, Powell J, Tennison CR, Moyers K, Shoffner DH, Bolton KM, Broyles T, Martin T, McArthur PM. Am. J. Orthopsychiatry 2009; 79(3): 375-386.

Affiliation

College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37924, USA. joanne_hall@comcast.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Orthopsychiatric Association, Publisher Wiley Blackwell)

DOI

10.1037/a0016531

PMID

19839675

Abstract

The purpose of this feminist interpretive study was to portray the experience of women thriving after childhood maltreatment (CM) through personal narratives. An interdisciplinary team conducted multiple in-depth interviews of 44 women survivors of CM who identified themselves as successful and doing well. The interviews focused on "what worked" and "what did not" with the aim of exploring aftereffects of CM; strengths and strategies; interactions helpful in overcoming abuse; and related sociopolitical contexts. Narrative analyses revealed a distinct, dynamic process of becoming resolute characterized by six dimensions that were not sequential steps but characteristics, actions, and interactions. This study offers a new understanding of the experience of women gaining solid footing in their lives, the peace of knowing the abuse is over, and power to move in an upward trajectory.

Language: en