The Lived Experience of Intimate Partner Violence in the Rural Setting.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the lived experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) for women living in a rural setting to inform efforts to provide effective care, support, and resources.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive.

SETTING

Adirondack Mountain region of upstate New York.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve women with recent experiences of IPV living in a rural area.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted.

RESULTS

Key findings were the self-imposed isolation women engage in to manage stigma and the system-wide abuse by law enforcement and the legal system.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study illustrate the complex web of individual, social, cultural, economic, and political factors that create and perpetuate the problem of IPV. It is critical to eliminate IPV-related stigma, cut through isolation, and address the ongoing system-wide abuse and discrimination women face. Finally, many of the issues raised by the participants, such as discrimination, financial constraints, and problems with the legal system, originate outside the health care system. Therefore, nursing care must be provided as part of a comprehensive public health approach.