"Han var min makthavare" : En kvalitativ studie om kvinnors upplevelser av psykiskt våld i nära relation

Sammanfattning: The purpose of the study has been to, through a qualitative interview create an understanding of abused women and their experience of psychological violence, how it has affected their emotional experiences and mental health and how relationships with people outside the relationship have been affected. Four female participants were interviewed where they shared their experiences and opinions of living with psychological violence in a close relationship based on the following questions: How do women feel that their emotions and health are affected by being exposed to psychological violence? How have abused women's relationships with people outside the relationship been affected? The study is based on previous research that deals with abused women's emotions, mental health, and social relationships as well as sociological theories. The theories used are Thomas Scheff's social bond and shame theory, Susan Scott's theory of role-playing and guilt, Erving Goffman's theory of prominence and facade, and Catherine Haslam, Alexander Haslam and Jolanda Jetten's theory of social ties and mental illness. The results show that the informants experienced strong feelings of guilt and shame, as their everyday lives were marked by violations, guilt, and manipulation. Women's social relationships with those around them were affected due to controlling behaviors or feelings of shame. All informants became ill in mental illness, where eating disorders were most common.