The experiences of women who encounter emotional or psychological abuse by their male partners

Abstract

Today, violence has become deeply entrenched in South African society. As such, it is not surprising to witness the widespread abuse against women. A review of the literature shows that research on men abusing women had been largely confined to the area of physical abuse. only recently has an investigation of the prevalence, severity and consequences of psychological abuse of women by their male partners been conducted to provide insight into this form of abusive behaviour. The central aim of the present study was to explore psychologically abused women's experiences of abuse. The research was approached from a feminist perspective, utilising a qualitative methodology. The participants were diverse in terms of age and background and drawn from clients of the catholic Welfare and Development (CWD) Counselling Centre in Elsies River. A semi structured interview schedule was utilised. Anonymity and confidentiality were assured and post-interview counselling was offered ' Each interview was tape recorded and transcribed and a qualitative thematic analysis was carried out on the data. The participants' accounts reveal that psychological abuse is an escalating pattern of abuse where one partner in an intimate relationship controls the other through intimidation and fear. Their relationships were characterised by intimidation, emotional harm, coercion and threats which were used continuously by the abuser to maintain power and control over them which resulted in traumatic consequences for them. Some of the participants reported feeling a lowered sense of self-worth as well as suffering from depression and other related illnesses. some of the participants also felt that the abusive experience had somewhat hardened them. It is significant to note that this change in sense of self was perceived positively by some of the participants, who reported that they had become more assertive. These findings show that despite the profoundly painful experience of psychological abuse, the participants' accounts bear testimony of their courage and resilience. Due to the extent of psychological harm that accompanies psychological abuse in a relationship, as well as the paucity of research in this particular area, it is my recommendation that much more research of this nature be undertaken.