Citation

Nordien R, Alpaslan N, Pretorius B. Health SA Gesondheid 2004; 8(4): 38-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Department of Nursing Science, Rand Afrikaans University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article provides a reflection on the experiences of Muslim women with regard to domestic violence. A qualitative approach was utilised following an explorative, descriptive, phenomenological contextual research design, as the researchers sought to understand the lived experiences of Muslim women in abusive relationships. The method of data collection included semi-structured interviews, as this was most appropriate to the nature of the study. Data-analysis was done according to the steps for qualitative data-analysis as proposed by Tesch in Creswell (1994). Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991) was employed for assessing the trustworthiness of qualitative data and for data-verification. The research findings centred on the following six themes: 1) Types of abuse experienced by participants; 2) Feelings/emotional reactions experienced by participants as a result of the abuse; 3) Precipitating factors contributing to domestic violence experienced by participants; 4) Motivation for maintaining abuse relationships; 5) Coping mechanisms to remain in or leave the relationship; and 6) Advice from participants to others in abusive relationships. The recommendations resulting from this research project proposed inter alia that the Muslim community be sensitised to the reality of domestic violence in Muslim marriages, and that support structures and service networks be put in place to attend to the needs of the women falling prey to domestic violence.