The impact of social support on couples who have experienced intimate partner violence
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Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious issue among many couples, as it has a significant impact on physical and psychological well-being. Based on a gap in the existing literature on couples who remain together after violence, the present study aimed to examine how social support impacts couples who have experienced IPV, by exploring three research questions: 1) how does social support impact the well-being of couples who have experienced IPV; 2) what role does social support play in deciding to stay in the relationship; and 3) is the availability/utilization of social support for IPV related to individuals’ social location. The research questions were addressed qualitatively, using a narrative approach, governed by a feminist intersectionality framework. The analysis of interviews with five men and five women (i.e., each member of 5 couples) revealed the complexity of social support experiences in the context of IPV. Women’s narratives highlighted social support as a critical component of their social networks; however, they revealed how behaviours from network members are not always perceived as supportive and instead can have a negative impact. Men’s narratives revealed the consequences of cultural assumptions about masculinity and violence on perceived support. Elements of identity intersected among participants to impact experiences of violence and social support. Finally, while all couples agreed on the importance of formal support in navigating their relationship after violence, differing ideas about how to utilize support had a negative impact on the perception of support and relationship conflict. The implications, strengths, and limitations are discussed.