Work

Women’s lived experiences of intimate partner violence progress after breast cancer: a hermeneutic phenomenological study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a social health problem and most common type of violence against women. The present study aimed to identify women's lived experiences of intimate partner violence progress after breast cancer. METHODS: This is a qualitative study conducted using the hermeneutic phenomenological method. A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted. 11 women diagnosed with breast cancer who experienced partner violence and were referred to Tabriz Oncology Clinic in Iran for treatment and fallow up were selected using purposeful sampling method. The mean age of women was 44.3 years. Data were analyzed using Van Manen's holistic and selective thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: According to the data analysis, one main theme "persistent sinusoidal violence" was identified with three sub-themes: "violence wave of treatment phase", "violence intensification wave of recovery phase", and "periodicity of violence waves". CONCLUSION: IPV continuously fluctuates in different stages of breast cancer treatment. It is necessary to screen for IPV in different phases of the disease in breast cancer women.

Source: BMC Women s Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12905-025-03872-3

Authors: Leila Sheikhnezhad, Hadi Hassankhani, Erika Metzler Sawin, Zohreh Sanaat, Mohammad Hasan Sahebihagh

Institutions: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, James Madison University

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890