Understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) from the perspective of Caviteñas

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This grounded theory study was conceptualized primarily, to describe the processes Caviteña participants go through in order to arrive at a decision about how to optimize intimate relationships and ultimately, to generate a conceptual framework arising from the core concepts that evolved from the collected data.METHODOLOGY: Using theoretical and purposive sampling, 11 Caviteña participants from District 1 & 7 were identified based on predetermined criteria. The experiences of these participants were gathered through informal/ unstructured interviews and observation of participants' nonverbal cues; and validated against field notations,viewpoints from experts and audit trail. The main interview question was stated as: What are the processes (cognitive, affective and behavioral) that you went through in deciding whether to maintain or terminate the abusive intimate relationship that you are engaged in?RESULTS: From the vantage point of the participants, the dominant themes established in relation to intimate partner violence (IPV) revolved around: IPV, gender differences, processes, consequences and interventions. These themes offered several implications to the different helping professionals-psychologists, social workers, nurses in such a way that they are able to understand the dynamics of intimate partner violence as they partake in the prevention of this pervasive societal phenomenon.CONCLUSION: Intimate Partner Violence is a by-product of the interaction of men's dominance (machismo) and the women's subservience (marianismo). It is prominently caused by infidelity of the husband and dependence of his biologic family, which cause significant marital conflicts. IPV is perpetuated by the society's indifference and the women's selfless regard for familial welfare. All these create extreme pain, penetrating all the way to the woman's emotional core. However, the woman is able to protect herself from such pain because of her spiritual submissiveness and emotional toughness in favor of her love for family.