Perceptions of Mothering by Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) by male intimates is an endemic public health problem disproportionately affecting the health and well-being of women and children in the U.S. and globally. More importantly, many women who are experiencing or have experienced violence are mothers. This dissertation was an interpretative phenomenological study investigating the lived experiences of mothering within the context of an intimate partner violent relationship, mothers' interpersonal relationships with their children, and mothers' interactions with nurses and other health care professionals.