Brazilian women’s transition to new relationships after ending a violent one: a case study

• Published in: Psicologia USP 2020, Vol.31
• Main Authors: Parada, Priscila de Oliveira, Murta, Sheila Giardini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: attachment; intimate partner violence; prevention; PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; violence against women
• ISSN: 0103-6564; 1678-5177; 1678-5177
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-6564e190166

Abstract This study investigated characteristics of the transition to new relationships after the end of a violent one through case studies. Two young white Brazilian women who had experienced violent first relationships underwent a narrative interview and filled out the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory. One of them had moved to a healthy relationship and the second one to another violent relationship. Awareness of violence and the adoption of strategies that enlarged models, world views, social circles, support and self care had not been enough to avoid the entrance in a new violent relationship. The development of the ability to access and validate one’s own feelings and wills, resulting in greater assertiveness, favored the transition to a healthy relationship. The approach to secure attachment style accompanied such changes. We discuss the implications to professional practice and preventive initiatives, as well as directions for future research. Resumo Este estudo investigou características da transição para novos relacionamentos após o término de namoro violento por meio de estudo de caso. Duas mulheres brasileiras, jovens, brancas, com experiência de primeiro namoro violento, tendo uma delas transitado para relacionamento saudável e outra para nova relação violenta, responderam à entrevista narrativa e ao Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory. A tomada de consciência da violência e a adoção de estratégias que ampliaram modelos, visões de mundo, círculos sociais, suporte e autocuidado não se mostraram suficientes para evitar a entrada em novo relacionamento violento. O desenvolvimento da habilidade de acessar e validar os próprios sentimentos e desejos, resultando em maior assertividade, favoreceu a transição para relação saudável. A aproximação do estilo de apego seguro acompanhou tais mudanças. Implicações para prática profissional e iniciativas preventivas são discutidas, assim como direcionamento de pesquisas futuras. Résumé Cette étude a examiné les caractéristiques de la transition vers de nouvelles relations qui ont favorisée l’entrée dans des relations saines après l’achèvement d’une relation amoureuse violente par le biais d’une étude de cas. Deux femmes brésiliennes, jeunes, blanche, ayant l’expérience de relations amoureuses violentes, ont répondu à l’entretien narratif et au Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (Inventaire des expériences de relations étroites). Tandis que l’une d’entre eux avait transitée vers