Unveiling the Silent Struggle: Exploring Intimate Partner Violence Among Older African American Women: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS)

Abstract

Background and Purpose

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a pervasive and multifaceted social issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide (1). Despite progress in addressing IPV, significant gaps remain in the literature, particularly concerning its impact on older African American women (2). Furthermore, cultural norms and expectations within communities may exacerbate the problem, making it problematic for older women to disclose abuse or seek support.

The purpose of this qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) is to understand the IPV experiences of older Black women. The goal of this is to bring awareness and improve interventions so they are more culturally sensitive and geared toward the needs of older Black women. To better understand and assist older Black women, research should consider exploring their lived experiences regarding domestic and intimate partner violence.

This study utilized a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) to understand the IPV experiences of this community (3). The inclusion criteria for this study involved qualitative research of the experiences of older African American women aged 50 and above who have faced IPV. To our knowledge, this is the first QIMS of older African American women’s experiences with IPV. The analysis process used to derive concepts from the data consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. Constant comparison was used to determine the studies' codes, categories, and themes. The researchers were mindful of their biases throughout the process to maintain reflexivity. Additionally, peer debriefing was conducted to validate the findings, ensuring the credibility of the analysis.

Methods:

This study utilized a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) to understand the IPV experiences of this community (3). The inclusion criteria for this study involved qualitative research of the experiences of older African American women aged 50 and above who have faced IPV. To our knowledge, this is the first QIMS of older African American women’s experiences with IPV. The analysis process used to derive concepts from the data consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. Constant comparison was used to determine the studies' codes, categories, and themes. The researchers were mindful of their biases throughout the process to maintain reflexivity. Additionally, peer debriefing was conducted to validate the findings, ensuring the credibility of the analysis.

Findings:

Findings from this QIMS study resulted in five themes: normalization of abuse, distrust in social support systems, impact of family dynamics and loyalty, coping mechanism and empowerment, and generational differences in response to abuse. These themes include the intersection of age, race, and gender in their lived experiences, the impact of community and social support, barriers to seeking help, and historical and cultural influences on their perception and responses to abuse.

Conclusions and Implications:

While the literature specifically focuses on African American women who experienced abuse, older women prevalence data highlights significant gaps within this demographic. It also confirms what the literature suggest that older African American women face unique challenges and barriers that are not adequately captured by studies focused on younger women or diverse populations.