Factors Affecting Domestic Violence Survivorship Among a Sample of Older African American Women: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Background: African American women experience domestic violence at a rate that is 35% higher than the domestic violence rate of White women. Moreover, African American women encompass 8% of the U.S. population but account for 22% of domestic violence-related homicide victims. African American women are at greater risk for facing economic difficulties, homelessness, unemployment, and health and educational disparities due to domestic violence. Research suggests that factors leading to violence against women include race, low self-esteem, class, religion, jealousy, stress, alcohol or other substance abuse, and early childhood experiences of violence or trauma (Fox, 2002; Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000).  However, little attention has been given to the lived experiences of older women who are domestic violence survivors.

Method: Therefore, this study explored factors affecting survivorship among African American women aged 55 years and older who experienced domestic violence. Six semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with older African American women to understand their lived experiences as survivors of domestic violence. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) framework guided the research design and data analysis process.

 Results: Seven major themes that emerged from the data and included understanding the past, acknowledging the journey, reclaiming and rebuilding life, social support, church, resources, and education. Additionally, services are needed that include faith-based education, training, and prevention programs to enable churches and social workers to address the unique cultural needs of African American women who have endured domestic violence.

 Conclusions and Implications: Practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates in the field of social work are encouraged to address the social problems of the understudied population of older African American women who have undergone domestic violence at some point in their lives.