The Phenomenology of Meditation for Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Violence Against Women April 14, 2006 DOI: 10.1177/1077801206288177 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractFor female survivors of intimate partner violence, learning concentrative meditation can lead to a centered awareness distinctly different from their usual mode of being in the world. Six women meditated daily and attended a weekly group for six weeks. Interviews revealed this shift in awareness, suggesting meditation may be a valuable intervention for survivors and indicating the need for more research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Female survivors of intimate partner violence |
| Intervention | concentrative meditation |
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Existentialism Phenomenology philosophy Psychotherapist Interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| Key finding | The experience of meditation for female survivors of intimate partner violence revealed the emergence of a centered awareness distinctly different from their usual mode of being in the world. |
Abstract
An existential-phenomenological methodology was utilized to investigate the experience of meditation for female survivors of intimate partner violence. Six coresearchers were taught a form of concentrative meditation and were asked to meditate daily and to attend a weekly group meditation for 6 weeks. Semistructured interviews were utilized to gather the data. The essence of the experience that was revealed was the emergence of a centered awareness that is distinctly different from the usual mode of being in the world. Findings suggest the value of meditation as an intervention strategy with survivors and demonstrate the need for further research in this area.