Women's lived experience of enduring domestic violence and substance abuse

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence and substance abuse are interconnected issues that have serious effects on women’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. These intersecting experiences often trap women in cycles of trauma, dependency, and marginalisation. Understanding how women experience and cope with these challenges is essential not only for developing effective, trauma-informed responses but also for providing appropriate support and intervention. Design: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore the lived experiences of women exposed to both domestic violence and substance abuse, conducted in accordance with the principles and framework of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Setting: Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with participants in rehabilitation settings. Four interviews took place within the rehabilitation centre during participants’ treatment programmes, while one interview was conducted outside the centre with a participant in the reintegration phase. Participants: Five adult female participants who have been exposed to domestic violence and substance abuse at any point in their lives. Method: Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed following the principles of IPA. Results: Seven Group Experiential Themes (GETs) emerged from the analysis, each with corresponding subthemes. The first GET, Substance Use, captures the journey from curiosity to dependency and the use of substances as a coping mechanism. The second, Domestic Violence and Abuse, reveals ongoing cycles of control and the emotional and interpersonal violence experienced. The third, Emotions, reflects the trauma, psychological impact, and resilience demonstrated by participants. The fourth, Relationships, explores patterns of broken connections, power, and manipulation. The fifth, Family and Social Support, highlights fractured family bonds and system failures in providing adequate support. The sixth GET, Experiences with Support Services, and lastly Sharing Advice and Future Aspirations, illustrates barriers to seeking help, perceptions of available services, and participants’ reflections on growth, recovery, and advice for others. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex interplay between domestic violence and substance abuse in shaping women’s lived experiences. Participants’ narratives reveal cycles of trauma, resilience, and recovery, underscoring the need for integrated, trauma-informed approaches that address both issues simultaneously. Enhanced awareness, coordinated services, and empathetic support are essential to promote healing and empowerment among affected women.