Abstract:
To examine the psychological experiences of physically abused women. Using phenomenological method, data were collected by in-depth interviewing 9 females lived in the Emergency Home the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women. The data was analyzed by content analysis, coding, categorizing. Peer debriefing was used for checking data analysis. The findings revealed 6 major themes as follow. 1. The feelings when being abused were unexpectness, fear of the husbands, shame, weariness, fury, hatred and desire for ending the relationship. 2. The reasons for maintaining the relationship were love, expectation for change in her husbands, love for her children, and no way out. 3. The feelings of tolerating in the relationship were self blame, suffering with pain, and living with aimless direction. 4. The breakoutpoint when women decided to end the relationship, the subjects reported that they lose confidence and expectation in their husbands and lose patience. 5.The left overed feelings were fear and apprehension of being repeatedly abused, disappointment with their life, and perceiving the abuse as her own karma consequence. 6. The resilient mind were living in the future with more encouragement, more meaningfulness, more awareness and caution. This research provided better understanding in psychological experiences of physically abused women, and provided vital information for professional counselors in helping this population.