Citation

Walker K, Bowen E, Brown S, Sleath E. Violence Against Women 2018; 24(7): 843-875.

Affiliation

Coventry University, Coventry, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801217722238

PMID

29332511

Abstract

This study examined the interaction between structure and agency for individuals in the first or early phase of primary desistance (1 year offending free) from intimate partner violence (IPV). Narrative accounts of perpetrators, survivors, and IPV program facilitators were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Changes in the self and the contexts, structures, and conditions were necessary to promote desistance. Perpetrators made behavioral and cognitive changes taking on different identities (agentic role) by removing external stressors and instability within the confines of a supportive environment (structural role).

FINDINGS provide a theoretical framework of desistance from IPV that integrates social processes and subjective change.

Language: en

Keywords

intimate partner violence; primary desistance; process of change