Processes of Leaving and Reclaiming Self Revealed through Kyrgyz Women's Voices: A Grounded Theory Study

Background and purpose: Several reports by international organizations have examined the scope of domestic violence in Kyrgyzstan, yet no previous study has attempted to examine women’s experiences of leaving violent relationships from the perspectives of the survivors. To address this gap, this study uses a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of women survivors in order to better understand the complexities involved in leaving the abusive relationships and the processes leading survivors towards change. Improved understanding of the interpersonal and socio-cultural factors that contribute to motivation to seek change in domestic violence situations can provide useful insights for counselors and counseling interventions, and help identify initiatives that can make social services and public health systems more responsive to their needs.

Methods: Sixteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with survivors of violence to explore their experiences of leaving, help-seeking and self-empowerment that contributed to seeking change in the domestic violence situation. The sample consisted of one ethnic Russian, one Kazakh, and fourteen Kyrgyz women (aged 20-48), residing in the local domestic violence shelter. Interviews were translated from Kyrgyz and Russian languages, transcribed verbatim and coded thematically using NVivo10 qualitative software. The constant comparative method of data collection and analysis was utilized. Concepts and themes related to the survivor’s experiences of leaving abusive partners were identified, linked, and developed into a grounded theory.

Findings: Nearly all study participants described specific factors, feelings, and events that precipitated initial leaving and escaping the abuse. The process of leaving as described by participants includes three stages: 1) reaching the turning point, 2) implementation of the leaving process, and 3) reclaiming self. The turning points were described as critical events, moments or states of sudden insight which led the participants to recognize that the problem of domestic violence had become uncontrollable or intolerable, and that external support was needed. The turning points women identified fell into five major categories: 1) Epiphanies and moments of truth, 2) Losing hope for change in abuser’s behavior; 3) Reaching the point of saturation and giving up, 4) Fear for the safety of children and protecting self; and 5) Increased awareness of resources and services/Increased personal strength and agency as a result of external support.

Conclusion and Implications: All of the women interviewed described a turning point, at which they decided to end the violent relationship. In all five themes, the turning point was when prior views about their relationship and their ability to change it were challenged either by an external event or sudden internal realization that the abuse was no longer tolerable and needed to change. The main factor that led the women to leave was when they were confronted with the pervasive fear of the abuse leading to permanent disability or death. Healthcare and social service providers can incorporate this understanding of turning points in domestic violence in tailoring interventions and counseling for women experiencing abuse.