Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: Exploring Relational Resilience to Long-Term Psychosocial Consequences of Abuse by Previous Partners

Considering and Navigating New Relationships During Recovery From Intimate Partner Violence

“…For example, survivors learned to trust themselves and discern between healthy and unhealthy behaviors (internal and psychological) through the process of dating (social and interpersonal). These findings mirror those of other researchers (e.g., Flasch et al, , Lewis et al, ; Neustifter & Powell, ), who have identified hypersensitivity to triggers, difficulty trusting self and others, and difficulty discerning between healthy and unhealthy behaviors as elements of IPV recovery.…”

“…These connections, in turn, served as healing aspects in their recovery. Finally, the present study expanded on previous literature (e.g., Neustifter & Powell, ) by identifying additional elements included in navigating new relationships after leaving IPV (e.g., sexual exploration, boundaries and control, the role of children).…”

“…Some researchers have identified features connected to IVP survivor dating and romance (Flasch, Murray, & Crowe, ; Lewis et al, ; Neustifter & Powell, ), although none have been specifically investigated. Hindering variables include the fear and apprehension that IPV survivors tend to experience at the prospect of entering new intimate relationships, for example, being hypersensitive to triggers and warning flags of IPV behavior, having difficulty trusting self and others, and having difficulty discerning between healthy and unhealthy behaviors.…”

“…Survivors and their nonviolent partners have also been found to struggle with the residual effects of IPV trauma and have faced logistical challenges of past IPV, such as custody issues, financial issues, and stalking behaviors by the previous abusive partner. Researchers have also identified growth‐promoting qualities in healthy post‐IPV relationships, including patience and understanding by the current partners (Flasch et al, ), strong communication skills, positive sexual interactions, the ability to distinguish and contrast the new relationship from the past abusive one, partnership, and individual identities within the relationship (Neustifter & Powell, ). A notable finding in Wuest and Merritt‐Gray's () study was the presence of a developmental aspect in the process of navigating new relationships.…”

“…Nevertheless, little is understood about the unique perspectives and experiences of survivors after they leave abusive relationships. These include both facilitative and growth‐hindering experiences, such as navigating or considering new relationships postabuse (Neustifter & Powell, ), which is the focus of the present study.…”