Citation

Fowler DN, Rountree MA. J. Pastoral Care Counsel. 2009; 63(3-4): 3-1-13.

Affiliation

The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, 78712-0358, USA. dfowler@mail.utexas.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20306932

Abstract

Literature on trauma, coping and spirituality has introduced new questions about protective factors in the healing process for intimate partner abuse survivors (IPA). This qualitative study explores the relationship between spirituality and IPA with three focus groups of twenty-two women IPA survivors residing in a shelter. A content analysis revealed central themes that explicate the meaning and role spirituality plays for participants. Viewed as a salient dimension, spirituality provides strength, influences outcomes and assists in the regulation of behavioral responses in a positive manner in terms of participants' traumatic IPA victimization. Practice implications are discussed.

Language: en