Women's Experience of Emotional Abuse in Intimate Relationships

Abstract

A qualitative study was conducted to examine women's experience of emotional abuse within the context of heterosexual relationships from a feminist perspective. Memory-work was used to collect and analyse data from seven women and findings indicate that being routinely subordinated by men has long-term and negative consequences for women's emotional health. Furthermore, results suggest that these women often perceived their partners to expect to be in positions of authority and to set the rules and standards in the relationship, as is commonly associated with the male gendered role. Similarly, such men are perceived as expecting special privileges, such as being seen to be right, and are often seen as behaving in a self-righteous manner. How ever, such expectations were not always described as being made overt. Similarities and differences in the way men's perceived behaviour impacted the women will be considered. Finally, the process of how the women regained their power, either prior to or after leaving the relationship, will be discussed.

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